4 EMRI musketeers’ vivid memories

Even though it’s been a year after the city witnessed one of the most horrific events in recent times - the 26/7 serial blasts last year - memories related to the incident are still fresh in people’s minds. While many mourn their individual losses, many salute those unsung heroes but for whose valiant acts in time snatched them back from the jaws of death.

Not many people will stand upright seeing death in such close proximity, but there are those brave people who not only have nerves of steel, but also ensure others too do not lose their fighting spirit.

Of them, mention may be made of these four EMRI employees of the GVK, EMRI Gujarat Operations - men who continue in their noble profession of helping people despite personal losses. DNA reports on their experiences.

Vijayan Parthasarathy, Trainer, EMCL Department
Vijayan Parthasarathy, 24, along with three colleagues reached the trauma ward at the civil hospital at around 6.15pm after hearing the blasts. It was while he was helping others escape death at the trauma centre, he sacrificed his left lower limb to the blast at the civil hospital. Though he was operated, Parthasarathy will unfortunately have to depend on an artificial limb for rest of this life. However, the clinical instructor is not sorry for being at the spot that day and will volunteer to be at the forefront for any peril the city has to face. “The incident has made me more dedicated to my work and stronger too,” the plucky youngster said.

Muninder Savant, Trainer, Emergency Management Technicians
Muninder Savant, 28, EMRI employee who hails from Maharashtra never imagined that such an incident would occur in his life. The blast that occurred at the trauma centre almost cost him his index finger that was left hanging on 2mm flesh.  But says the valiant young man: “I didn’t get time to even think that what happened in a fraction of second.” But in spite of the dizzy pain and profuse bleeding, he continued to help his colleagues never falling short of courage and spirit. “I was so shocked seeing people around me shattered, I could hardly feel my pain. I immediately tied a handkerchief on my finger and helped others.” On asked about his attachment to EMRI, Muninder smiled and said: “I am proud of what I am doing and will continue to do it forever.”

Dinesh Upadhayay, Operations Executive, Gandhinagar District
Dinesh Upadhayay, 29, one of the four EMRI employees, feels that it is pure luck that saved them. Dinesh also says that the good fortume is also a result of the blessings that they receive from the people they help as well as his extremely religious family.
Though he was afraid that he might not be able to see his unborn child that his pregnant wife was carrying at that time, he continued to render service to the ones who needed his help most at that time. However, things are better now and says that he will continue with his job, since this is a job that gives life to people and helping patients is like worshipping God, he said.

Jaimin Naik, Head, Volunteerism Department
Injured and restless to know the fate of his other colleagues, Jaimin Naik spent the first 15 days in the hospital in a very unhappy state till he could see their faces. God has blessed me with the opportunity of being a true volunteer to reinforce my belief to serve humanity, as I have decided to head volunteerism function in GVK EMRI so that the volunteers recruited by us can serve the society at large, he said.