Despite his last minutes rush and prayer, the treatment could not be provided to his mother as she breathed her last on her way to the hospital in his arms. The death was shocking and emotional disaster for Karimul , many questions pinched his mind, the incident of his mother’s death was permanently etched in his mind and was to play a prominent role in his life now, Karimul realised.

 He took a vow that no one should die or suffer to non-availability of Ambulance henceforth.

 Karimul could not erase from his mind the tragic occurrence of   death of his mother due to lack of an ambulance to carry her timely to the nearest hospital.

Karimul Haque was an ordinary tea garden labour in Malbazar with a monthly salary of Rs.4000/-. His early childhood was spent in poverty and had a tale of tragic circumstances of life. His school education ended in class VIII due to his economic hardship, in his maternal uncle’s house. As of today, he spends his life with Begum Anjua, two sons Rajesh, Raju and daughter-in-law in a hamlet in north Bengal, Karimul could not erase from his mind the tragic occurrence of death of his mother due to lack of an ambulance to carry her timely to the nearest hospital. Following the incident, he took upon him that no one should ever face the death as he extended his physical and other help to anyone found in his neighbourhood for medical treatment, even to the extent of carrying the sick and the needy on his bike physically to the nearest hospital.

 A second incident when a fellow worker fell ill and collapsed in the garden, Karimul used his motorbike as an ambulance by taking the fellow worker on his back and rode to the nearest hospital. After he recovered from his illness, Karimul was inspired to continue using the bike to ferry the ailing. Karimul’s story was a story of intense compassion and selfless care provided to the distressed.

Karimul’s bike became a mode of carrying patients to the hospital. He became an inspiration and a source of strength and hope for his village folks ever since they found a relentless drive to extend help and assistance being provided by Karimul for reaching patients to nearest hospitals. Slowly more and more bike and cycle owners started associating with Karimul in his noble endeavour to help patients reach the hospital for treatment.

In 1998, after three years from the fateful night of 1995, Karimul managed to purchase a Motorbike on loan. He wrote ‘ Free Ambulance services’ placard in front of his bike. The relentless service on his bike to nearby 4000 critical patients in dying conditions was carried and provided the services of medical treatment and hospitalisation entirely on his own selfless care and expenses met from his meagre earnings. This services and new infrastructures spread a new wind of change and fresh hope to the people of Dooars area. Gradually, people started calling him ‘Ambulance Dada’.

Karimul was so much dedicated and committed to his vow that he could leave his meal and rushed to the spot with his ambulance bike without caring his own self and at any time, any climate or any uncertainties with the sole aim of saving the life of the patients by providing medical help and hospitalisation. The name and recognition of his services slowly spread across his village and towns. His story of ‘Bike-ambulance’ and social service saving the life of patients also reached the corridors of power in Delhi. There was a telephone call from the Government of India and informed him about the decision to award him with ‘Padmashree’ in recognition of his social services to the people. Karimul was not sure of what he heard on the phone. Later, he realized that his dedication and serving the needy patients to reach the hospital credited him with the fourth highest Governmental and Civilian Award. 

Karimul Haque, a man as ordinary and simple as his village folks became Padmashree Karimul Haque on 27th January 2017.

When President of India conferred on him the award in recognition of social services and endeavours for providing ambulance services under the trying conditions and innovative manner. His family, friends and the entire inhabitants of the village were proud of his work, dedication and services. They were, however, not so much in the realisation of what this award of ‘Padmashree’ meant for Karimul or for the people of Karimul’s village; they know that something good and big has happened to their dear Ambulance Dada. Prior to the Padmashree award, the news channel ’24 Hours’  a TV channel in Bengal(24 Ghanta) had recognized his services to extending help by his bike to the needy patients and awarded him with ‘Ananya Sadharon Samman’ in 2011.

Today, the story of Ambulance Dada caught the attention and imagination of the people ranging from Filmmakers, story writers, the Media etc. making a ‘biopic’ on him, a book and in many other ways that Padmashree Karimul would have ever dreamt of. Today, his works and services have made him ‘ a sought after man’ be it the Bollywood Director or the Defense Ministry in search of structuring and putting similar services via the Defense facilities. 

Padmashree Karimul’s real-time story is an inspiration to many common people in the country for they realise that a strong will, determination and conviction for hard work is needed for doing good to the needy and distressed. In his efforts to provide the service, Karimul had to spend much of his earnings yet, his life and family stood by him for the sake of relief and smiles to others. This is a living example of ‘Manush Manusher Jonye’ a famous song created by Bharatratna Bhupen Hazarika.

Karimul has informed that in the making of his biopic and his biography, a number of interesting incidents will be unfolding so far unknown and untold. The people of the country are waiting for the biopic to be made and his biography as and when written and published.

Meanwhile, Padmashree Karimul has attended the ‘Republic Day’ parade ceremony in New Delhi alongside the dignitaries and who’s who of the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a selfie with him recognizing to capture the moments in history.

Karimul Haque is today a living legend, inspirational and invigorating by example. In his own words, “I wish everyone comes forward in the selfless endeavour so that not a single life is lost due to negligence or lack of treatment.”

To know more about Karimul Haque click the link below:
https://www.krctimes.com/interview/karimul-haque-the-bike-ambulance-dada/