When duty meets integrity: Odisha ambulance heroes prove honesty still lives strong

Stories of honesty and humanity still shine bright, and two recent incidents in Odisha prove just that. Aambulance staff, often hailed as frontline lifesavers, have gone beyond their duty to win people’s hearts with rare gestures of integrity and compassion.

At Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College in Koraput, three 108 ambulance staff set an example of truthfulness. While parking their vehicle, driver Balaram Hantal, EMT Sandip Kumar Nayak and attendant Sunil Hantal noticed a wallet lying near the ambulance. Inside, there was Rs 5,150 in cash and a receipt with the name Raghunath.

Instead of ignoring it, they traced the patient’s ward and handed the wallet back to Raghunath, a resident of Kukudapakhsi village under Nandapur block. For his family, struggling through a medical crisis, the gesture was nothing less than a blessing.

Another display of commitment was reported from Nayagarh district. A call for help had come from Kanipokhari village for 45-year-old Namita Nayak, who was suffering from high blood pressure. The ambulance from Ganjari CHC could only reach within 2 km of her house because of poor road condition. Refusing to give up, the staff carried a stretcher through the rough terrain, brought the patient safely to the vehicle, and ensured her timely admission at Bhanjanagar SDH.

These two incidents may be from different corners of the state, but together they reflect one truth,  Odisha’s ambulance staff are not just emergency responders, but everyday heroes who embody honesty, empathy and selfless service.