Subrato Das Biography 
Dr. Subrato Das, also known as the highway messiah is a physician from Gujarat. He set up the Lifeline Foundation in Vadodara which works with existing resources to optimise medical response to road accident victims on highways. He worked with this motive to help others, after going through such a personal trauma Ahmedabad-Vadodara Highway, when he along with wife and friend had to wait more than 5 hours to get medical help available. He was also instrumental in launching an emergency ambulance service (108) in Gujarat, and later almost all Indian states launched their own emergency ambulance services in this model. Government of India honoured him with the fourth highest civilian honour - Padma Shri in 2017 recognizing his efforts. He was one among 15 such unsung heroes whose efforts were honoured that year.
The incident happened around year 2000, when he along with his wife Sushmita and a friend were travelling on the Ahmedabad-Vadodara Highway. The trio met with an accident in that dark rainy night when the car they were travelling in crashed into a tree. It was around 1.30 am. The doctor cried desperately in search of help, and he got someone to help them after 5 long hours. A milkman in the early morning took them to nearby police station. The trio survived without major injuries. But it was an eye opener to him, and he realized that it’s not the same case with all who meets with similar circumstances.
Instead of putting ambulances on the highway, he decided to create a network of ambulances, fire brigades, and cranes, which was more feasible. He started working on this idea in year 2002. Subroto launched Lifeline Foundation, a Gujarat-based NGO, and he was also instrumental in launching an emergency ambulance service (108) in Gujarat. Now more than 25 states across the country have extended the service to their people through the emergency ambulance service, 108. He also trained a group of people who can do first aid while the victim is being taken to hospital. A number was also launched in year 2002. Any passer-by can call the number and provide information about the situation and the team of 108 will take care of it.
Published: February 19, 2019
Updated: February 19, 2019
