HOW FAR THINGS WOULD GO…..(Continuation from my previous blog)

HOW FAR THINGS WOULD GO…..(Continuation)

(To understand this blog please read my previous blog dated 18th Jan 2010)

While I was about to take some rest after that early morning quest, my dad had called me and he had offered me Tirupati airport helpline. I thought I would check the necessary requirements to take the coffin back to their home town (Delhi). I rang the phone to that number and they connected me Jet airways counter. I spoke to the executive pertaining to the requirements for the coffin and flights available in the afternoon or in the evening.

The requirements are as follows:

1.     No-Objection/ Clearance certificate from the local police station stating this is a natural death and not a planned one.

2.     Doctor certificate stating the nature of the death, approximate time of the death and cause for the same.

3.     Embalming certificate – stating the dead body is free from poisonous chemicals and body is not poisoned.

4.     Certificate from the authorized coffin agency, which confirms that coffin is packed properly as per international standards and does not contain any thing other than dead body.

The quest has all started again. I was wondering could I arrange these before uncle’s relatives arrive here. Hmmmm….but how?

Mom and my aunt were trying to calm down depressed aunt, I went up and monitored the situation for a while, and we have power cuts in Tirupati between 7:30 and 8:30. Normally it would be little hot as it was being summer. Hand fans are the only mantra to get away with the scorching heat. Her mobile was almost dead so I kept it for charging and now she started receiving calls. She made couple of calls etc. Unexpectedly I received a call from local superintend of police asking me if I need any help pertaining to any thing. He said he is going to going to send one constable to our home. Now things I thought would be difficult is pretty easy now.

I have taken bath and had couple of hot idly with Sambar, which is of authentic South Indian taste. Then I called up my family doctor, checked with him if he could arrange for an embalming and Death certificate. My dad had convinced him saying its fine as police is also with us. I can endorse the death certificate as it was Saturday and the Municipal office was closed. Constable had called me up and I have given him directions towards my home. We have collected a letter from the aunt stating the purpose of visit and it’s a kind of request placing to the local police to provide necessary documents. Letter also states that it was just casual death and she does not have any issues towards any one pertaining to this death. I have collected uncle’s visiting card, He is a labor officer in Gurgaon and we both went to police station, then Inspector had signed the letter.  Straight we went to our family doctor and we have taken embalming and death certificate and got it endorsed by the police (instead of municipality). Doctor charged 500 Rs for the certificate.

It was 12:00 in the afternoon by the time I collect necessary documents, but as I thought only challenge was coffin and coffin clearance certificate. But by then I received a call from their relatives saying they were going to reach tirupati in some time.  I have guided them to the home. Suddenly the environment had tuned sad and we have offered them a cool juice to aunty and their relatives. Her son was also there and he was as disappointed as her mom. I could able to manage to talk to his cousin and explained all the procedure for the traveling. He asked me to check if any flight is traveling from Chennai and we have checked. They have suggested us couple of coffin makers near by. We have given a ring to them and checked if the documents are fine.

Around 3:00 in the afternoon we had taken them to the hospital where uncles body was preserved temporarily. Again it was the same drama there, every one was behind money. For our bad luck we tried to book an ambulance van to the Chennai, but they all formed a cartel there and we have to take the help of same driver who created nuisance in the morning. Except that he was drunk at that time. Then we lifted the dead body in to the ambulance and that is when I could able to see the uncle’s face. They were all headed to Chennai and I could able to spoke to them in the night and they told they were about to leave Chennai.

Whole point of the story is there is no one who was willing to help here with out monetary benefit. Either it was the travel cars driver, attendant of the hospital, doctor who had given the certificates, police who helped because he got a call from the DIG of the state and from the home ministry or the ambulance driver they were all helped because of a monetary benefit. Of course there is no free lunch, but little love and respect is what is required at this situation. Remember it might happen to you as well. Point to catch is that now I have put an entire procedure in front of you for transporting a dead body from one place to another place in our country.

Imagine what would be the case if am not there. She would have committed suicide. People needs care and love more than money.

HELP OTHERS…………..

HOW FAR THINGS WOULD GO…..

HOW FAR THINGS WOULD GO…..

It was 2009 March. I was attending my friends’ brother marriage in Gudur. It was fun even though I don’t know them; I have not studied with them. I got introduced to this group through my best friend Subbu. He studied Engineering from one of the re-nowned colleges in Tirupati. It was a kind of re-union for my friend, actually one of his classmates’ brother who was getting married. Its kind of fun every one gathered. The reception was over and even though they insisted me to stay back I thought I would make a move back to Tirupati. Which is about 4 hours journey. I use to work for a market research firm in Bangalore. It was a weekend and a holiday combination where in I got 3 days leave at a stretch.

The bus for Tirupati came at around 11:00 AM to the bus stand. Seats are comfortable and I immediately caught a little nap. I was really tired and I do not have proper sleep the previous night, as I was traveling from Bangalore to Tirupati. The seats in the Bangalore bus were little uncomfortable and could not able to sleep the whole night. I stayed for a little while at home and traveled to Nellore, and then to Gudur.

At around 2:00 PM I was surprised to receive a call from my colleague. I thought it was casual until I picked up the call. In a very sad and low voice he told me that his close friends parents were traveled to Tirupati and He told uncle was dead and Aunt was alone in the place. He told me that the uncle was in Apollo hospital. After hearing the issue my sleep was gone and I told him that I am going to call him in some time. I enquired with my dad about the exact location of Apollo hospital and briefed him about the situation. I told my dad that I will visit his aunt and come to the home. I called my friend and assured him that I will take care of his aunt. I have collected their details.

Bus reached Tirupati at around 3:00 PM; I have got down at a stop, which is very close to the hospital. Went straight to the hospital and enquired about them. The Apollo in this city is just a high-end clinic but not a full-fledged hospital. From the conversation I came to know that he is moved to the other hospital (which is one of the famous hospital, can’t name it due to some reasons) in Tirupati. I caught a rick and went home and took my dads scooter to the other hospital where he is moved.

The early morning was really cold and reached hospital in 15 - 20 minutes. Hospital is really big one and has two gates. Main gate and has a main entrance to the various wards of the hospital. I stood in front of the main entrance and called the aunty. To my surprise she is not in the hospital but she was in the travels car about 150 mts away form the main entrance.

The driver is in his 40’s and he is a Tamilian. I spoke to aunty and she was literally crying vey bad. So I figured out that best way to find out what happened is through driver. The dead body is not in this car, but in another van. An Omni Van with a stretcher in it, kind of mini ambulance and not fully equipped. The driver of the ambulance van approached me and asked how I am related to the uncle. I told him he is my friends’ uncle. In my first instance I sensed something wrong with the van driver. From the car driver I figured out that they went on top of hill, but could not able to get the darshan due to heavy crowd (Tirupati will be generally full during the holiday times) and returned back to the lodge. He complained of a chest ache and he suppose to take the medicines after having food. The lodge in which he was staying delayed the food and hence his BP and chest pain went up drastically before he collided and he has taken to Apollo clinic first and then to the other hospital. The hospital declared him dead and as because he is out patient they have not let them put the dead body in the mortuary room.

My immediate thought is to take the aunty to home and give her little comfort and of course food. She did not had any thing until last night and even she had health concerns and she might also get in to worst situation if she did not had food. But I cannot go home with the dead body. So my plan is to at least keep the body in government hospital and take aunt home. But before that I tried reaching their children their mobile was switched off, I guess they are in airport. Finally left a message to call me.

Then I had a little conversation with the security guard over there, which suggested me to speak to the doctor in charge and get his permission to keep the dead body in the mortuary. When I went in and asked about in charge. I have been routed to the wrong doctor and he told keeping the dead body is not possible. There is a government hospital in the next lane. I have got to know that the hospital mortuary would be in a mess and you have to literally search the dead body to take it out later. So I hit a DEAD END…..!!!!

Meanwhile I got a call from his son and he told me that they are going to catch a flight to Chennai, which is at 5:00 and going to reach Chennai by 7:00 AM. They are going to hire a taxi and going to come to tirupati. It has given me a sigh of relief and they informed aunty the same. Local van driver told me that he will arrange for a ice coffin and it is going to cost about 5000 rs per day. I know he is quoting too high. He is a kind of guy who wants to do business even with dead bodies. Such a cheap mentality. I refused the offer and some how spoke to the security guard of the hospital once again. He introduced me to a head security of the place. He told me that he is going to speak to the doctor in charge and told he will some how arrange a mortuary for the dead body. But he demands 1000 rs and told ok for it. He went inside but could not able to find the doctor, as he was in general a round to the patient wards. Some how finds the doctor and explained the situation and he introduced me to the doctor as his relative and doctor signed in the letter. The helper and me factually carried the dead body to the mortuary. I tipped the helper and 100 Rs and the van driver saw it.

Now I have one thing in mind clear the ambulance expenses and pay 1000 bucks to the security and 1000 bucks for the mortuary charges and take aunty home. Then this van driver started acting weird and demanded 5000 Rs in total towards ambulance expenses. Actually it will not even cost 2000 buck’s. But I have no other option and I don’t have money. I have took the money from the aunty who is now bit in control, but was still looking sad and pale. Cleared off all the expenses and took her to my home. I stay in a very small lane where car could not fit in comfortably. So I have to let park the car in distance and took her to my home. I have already informed my parents. My relatives are in home. I thought every thing was over and I just have to wait for their people to come from Delhi. Mom and my aunt took her upstairs given her some confidence that every thing is going to be allright.

BUT ACTUALLY NOT......!!!!

To be continued…….