Millions of devotees, locally known as jatrus, are currently marching on foot across Rajasthan to reach the revered Ramdevra temple for the annual fair. Recognizing the intense physical toll of this journey, a group of ten compassionate young men from Nagaur has stepped forward to act as a crucial support system for these travelers. Operating under the name of the Veer Teja Ambulance Service, this dedicated group is patrolling the state's highways with two fully equipped ambulances. They are providing essential healthcare, dressing painful wounds, and distributing medicines entirely free of charge to help these devotees complete their pilgrimage without suffering from debilitating injuries.
A Mobile Medical Lifeline on the Pilgrim Route
This volunteer-driven campaign officially commenced on September 3 and is planned to run continuously until the active period of the Ramdevra fair concludes. The team has deployed its two medical vehicles along the busiest thoroughfares taken by the pilgrims, specifically setting up mobile stations near Bikaner Road, the Didwana Bypass, and the bustling Basni crossroads. Instead of remaining in a fixed location, the ambulances actively travel along these high-traffic pilgrim paths to spot individuals in need of aid. These vehicles are stocked with a wide range of essential pharmaceuticals, antiseptic lotions, clean bandages, and hydration supplies, ensuring they can handle a variety of minor medical emergencies on the spot. Furthermore, the youth have established an informal emergency response system. If pilgrim groups or camp coordinators notice anyone in their cohort struggling, they can make a quick phone call to summon one of the ambulances directly to their location, ensuring that no devotee is left without help in remote stretches.
Alleviating Physical Suffering and Fatigue
The physical demands of walking several hundred kilometers are immense, with many pilgrims pushing through 15 to 20 kilometers daily in tough weather conditions. Ram Choudhary, a key member of this initiative, shared that the most common physical ailments they encounter are painful foot blisters, joint inflammation, minor cuts, and intense muscle aches. When exhausted pilgrims, ranging from young children to elderly grandparents, stop at their roadside camps, the team immediately offers treatment. They clean wounds, apply sterile bandages, hand out necessary pain-relief medications, and even provide muscle massages to help soothe severe leg cramps. For these volunteers, the ultimate reward comes when elderly pilgrims, relieved of their physical pain, place their hands on the young men's heads to offer heartfelt blessings, which they describe as the most fulfilling part of their service. To date, the volunteers have successfully treated more than 600 pilgrims on the roadside. On any given day, between 70 to 80 devotees receive medical attention from these two mobile units, showing just how vital this service has become for the marching crowds.
Three Years of Dedicated Voluntary Action
This heartwarming humanitarian initiative is not a one-off effort but rather a well-established annual project now in its third year of successful operation. In the initial phase of their journey, these young friends did not own medical vehicles and had to rely on renting private cars to transport supplies and treat the injured on the roadside. Over time, their perseverance allowed them to transition into a structured setup featuring two dedicated ambulances, fully stocked with professional-grade first aid kits, ointments, bandages, and basic medical supplies. This year, the mission is managed by a cohesive team of dedicated volunteers and trained medical assistants, including Sanwararam Galwa, Vishnu Choudhary, Surendra Sirohi, Pukhraj, Kirtaram, Heeralal, Kishan, Kapil Vishnoi, and Deepak. The team remains firmly resolved to keep their mobile clinics running day and night, promising that as long as the devotees continue their march toward Ramdevra, their free healthcare services will remain active on the highways.
