Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 17: Compelled by the circumstances that emerged out of the COVID-19 pandemic, a man living in the interiors of Dal Lake has made a floating ambulance for the benefit of people living there.
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It all happened when Tariq Ahmad Patloo-who has made the Shikara-Ambulance-was tested COVID-19 positive; however, he did not find anybody willing to take him to the other side of the Lake so that he could go to the hospital. The helplessness compelled him to come up with something of this own.
Tariq is the father of Jannat-3-year old girl who gained much fame for her efforts of keeping the Dal Lake clean.
“I was tested positive a few months ago, I faced many problems as no one came for my help given the stigma associated with the COVID-19; my friend Riyaz Ahmad Kanna used to take me to the other side of the Dal from where my brother used to take me to the hospital in the car,” he said.
While that happened, he said that he felt socially ostracised and it was then when he thought of coming up with the idea of making something which could be of help to the people living in Dal.
“At SMHS where I spent some time, I used to think about it. I made it in 20 days and there is a need of doing a lot more; it will be mini-dispensary; I will put out a helpline number as well and will make sure that a doctor also remains available there. People can call and we can reach to people on just a phone call,” he said.
He said that while he has come up with the idea, there is a need for the Government to support him so that the ambulance could have a doctor and other equipment necessary to deal with the emergency.
“I could do this much and beyond this is not in my hand; I will surely require the help from the Government in this regard,” he said.
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