Padma Awards: Two good samaritans make West Bengal proud

Working tirelessly away from the spotlight for years, both Bipin Ganatra and Karimul Haque are yet to fathom the magnitude of the sudden recognition coming their way.

Among the four Padma awardees from West Bengal this year, there are two good Samaritans both of whom say they never expected they would ever land themselves such a honour!

Bipin Ganatra, the daredevil fire fighter from Kolkata and Karimul Haque better known as "Ambulance Dada" have selflessly served the society for decades. On Wednesday evening, when the news that about Padma Shri award reached both these good Samaritans, many say they finally got their due.

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An emotional Ganatra was lost for words. "It feels weird, I'm not sure how I can manage this sudden recognition," he says. For four decades this 59-year-old have been tirelessly rescuing people and dousing flames at fire accidents across Kolkata. A small time electric mechanic, he began assisting fire officers and slowly became an expert with the Kolkata Fire Department recognising him officially as a volunteer.

Ever since his elder brother died in a fire accident on Diwali, rescuing people from such accidents became his sole moto. After receiving news about any fire in the city, he is often the first person to reach the site, even before fire department officials. "I can only seek blessing from everyone to give me strength that I can continue doing my work for the society," says the frail yet energetic man, visibly humbled by the award.

Away from Kolkata, in the tea gardens of Jalpaiguri 53-year-old Karimul Haque did not quite understand the magnitude of the situation. After villagers and local media men explained him his achievement, Karimul was overwhelmed. "Just as one gets a trophy after winning in sports, it feels as if I've won in this game with the support of my poor villagers. I'm happy," he says.

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For over 15 years he has been ferrying critically ill patients in the remote outskirts of Malbazar on his bike-cum-ambulance. It was his mother's death due to lack of medical attention that drove Karimul to take up this mission in life. With the new found recognition, Karimul hopes to inspire others to do their bit for his community. "I want other youngsters in my village to take up my work."

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