Who is a hero? Someone who wears a cape and saves the world with his powers? Well, there is more to that story because “not all heroes wear capes”. Some wear PPE kits and swear by the proverb-’ Service to man is service to God’. 47-year-old Dattatray Sawant, a resident of Mumbai is one of these heroes.
During the devastating second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dattatray Sawant provided free auto rides to patients and the needy in the wake of the crisis in Mumbai. He is an English teacher by profession at Dnyansagar Vidya Mandir School, in Ghatkopar and drives his auto after school.
“Often, Covid patients and elderly citizens approach me and ask me to drop them off at hospitals or Covid care centers. I give them auto rides for free. Most of the time, I also give free rides to old people, for their visits to vaccination centers or medical requirements,” Sawant said.
“I live in a slum in Ghatkopar. Most of the residents are in a terrible condition as they are daily wage labourers. If they ask me for a ride in my auto, I take them to hospitals or care centers for free. So what if I have to spend some extra money from my pocket for that? After all, service to man is service to God. I have this poster on my auto as well. This is the only way I can contribute to society,” Sawant said. His ‘ambulance’ is equipped with a PPE kit, sanitizers, and a plastic shield, but no oxygen cylinder. “In a week I get 6-7, sometimes 10 calls a week. I never say no,” he said.
As the number of corona patients was increasing rapidly, many of them were dying due to untimely treatment. In such a situation, whether the poor patients get government help in time or not, private ambulances are not affordable. And often public vehicles do not provide services to Covid patients. In such cases, Sawant’s free service was available to the patients.
Many have come forward to provide financial help to Mr. Sawant. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has announced that it will bear the entire cost of fuel for his rickshaw. He has so far provided free travel to 31 Covid patients and his work is being appreciated by all. He is truly an inspiration for the citizens of our country.
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