Kolkata’s own rescue team is on the job 24X7

KOLKATA: Rescuing is their mission and passion. Because of their commitment to come to the aid of people in distress even Kolkata Police counts on them as friends in need. Nitaidas Mukherjee and his team have been working silently in Kolkata on rescue missions for a while now.
“Be it rescuing an abandoned child or an ailing person found on the street or helping rescue and hospitalization of the injured during disasters like fire, we can always bank on Nitaidas Mukherjee and his team for support.They are there whenever we require them,” said an officer of Muchipara police station.
The Muchipara police station called the Das’s rescue ambulance and the team during the Amherst Street fire on February 2. The emergency rescue team reached within minutes and assisted the fire fighters and police. Though firefighters doused the flames efficiently and no casualty was reported, the rescue team stationed themselves there to tend to the minor wounds sustained by the firefighters.
“This rescue team is present whenever there is a fire in the city. Their ambulance is equipped with emergency medicine and first aid equipment. They are doing a commendable job,” said an official from the fire brigade.
Nitaidas started his social work as a 10-year-old when he and a friend tended to an ailing boy found near Dhakuria lake. Nitaidas decided to completely devote himself to social work by founding HIVE India, a non-profitable organization, about two decades ago to rescue the abandoned and the lost, counsel them and help them reunite with their families. The organization also helped educate street children. The latest addition to its profile is the 24X7 emergency response unit.
The unit boasts of 15 regular volunteers trained in rescue operation, apart from those who come and go. The unit has three fully equipped rescue ambulances as well.
“Earlier I used to work on my own to help people in distress whenever possible. When I came across this team I joined it as working as a united force would give a better chance of success,” said Debabrata Chakraborty from Dhakuria, a volunteer.
The team works in association with the Kolkata Police, organizations like Childline, government agencies like the disaster management group, child welfare committee and others.