In the memory of noted journalist Gauri Lankesh, the Karnataka Chapter of Akhil Bharata Shramik Kendra, a Non-Government Organisation (NGO) has launched a free ambulance service mainly to serve the migrant workers from North Karnataka and North India.
The service was flagged off at 11:00 AM on Saturday, 4th December from Press Club of Bengaluru by Kavita Lankesh, film director and sister of Gauri Lankesh, informed Kaleemullah, one of the functionaries of the NGO.
Kavitha Lankesh, Kaleemullah, Human Rights Activist Akkai Padmashali, Social Activist Che Balu, State Working President of Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha (KRRS) Veerasanghaiah, Kannada Journalist Nazia Kouser and others were present when the service was flagged off.
During the release of the ambulance facility, he said that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many poor people are unable to avail health facilities easily. Hundreds of migrant workers from North India and North Karnataka are living in the sheds around the Mahadevpura area of the state’s capital, Bengaluru. Since these people do not have easy access to better healthcare facilities, the NGO decided to provide free ambulance service to these people in order to save their lives during any medical emergency, mainly during the Covid pandemic.
The release said that throughout her life, Gauri strove for the welfare of poor, needy, and oppressed people through her newspaper. She remained vocal also in fighting against the injustice being meted out to the vulnerable sections of society. Speaking on the occasion Kaleemullah informed that “When Gauri was killed, we had voiced out that Naanu Gauri – Naavellaru Gauri (I am Gauri, We all are Gauri). Hence, we have named the service after her. She was always fighting to secure the rights of the poor and the marginalized. We are organizing many such programs in her name. Tomorrow, around 200 people will also donate blood. It is a small initiative to keep her alive in the memories of people, Kaleem said speaking on the occasion.
