From tragedy to triumph: Gritty Kangra woman drives ambulance to save lives

Two years ago, Anju (28), hailing from Gangath in the Indora Assembly constituency of Kangra district, had lost her elder brother Ajay in a road accident — a tragedy compounded by the lack of timely medical assistance. Determined that no one else should face such a loss, she vowed to take the wheel of an ambulance to help those in urgent need of emergency medical care.

Six months ago, Anju’s aspiration took shape when local NGO Ranjit Bakshi Jankalyan Foundation selected her as an ambulance driver. Since then, she has been ferrying patients from the Nurpur Civil Hospital to government and private hospitals in and outside the state.

In the past six months, Anju has transported around 100 patients to various medical facilities, including Dr Rajendra Prasad Medical College, Tanda; IGMC, Shimla; PGI, Chandigarh; DMC, Ludhiana; and Amandeep and Fortis hospitals in Amritsar. Her service has helped patients and their attendants access critical medical treatment without delay.

From Gharola village in the Bharmour Assembly constituency of Chamba district, Anju had previously driven a private taxi in her native area for five years before taking up the current role. Her father, who had migrated from Bharmour to Gangath, runs a fast-food shop, while her mother is a homemaker. Her younger brother is doing a private job outside the state.

Anju says that driving has been her passion since childhood, but her dream was realised only after she completed a 60-day intensive training course at the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) driving school at Jassur in Nurpur. The training sharpened her driving skills and equipped her to handle emergency situations.

According to Akil Bakshi, director of the Ranjit Bakshi Jankalyan Foundation, Anju was selected not only for her driving proficiency but also for her understanding of ambulance operations and ability to use emergency medical equipment. She is well-trained to attend to patients’ needs during transit, making her a valued member of the foundation’s ambulance service.