Vizag auto-rickshaw driver wins award for free transport to pregnant women
An auto-rickshaw driver from Visakhapatnam has been lauded for providing complimentary rides to pregnant women for 26 years, aiding over 9,423 deliveries since 2000. He was felicitated during Independence Day celebrations by district officials and a state minister.
Key takeaways
- U. Sundar Rao has offered free transport to pregnant women for 26 years in Visakhapatnam.
- Since 2000, he has helped 9,423 pregnant women reach hospitals in time for delivery.
- He was honoured at Independence Day celebrations by district officials, with the Revenue Minister presenting the certificate.
What Happened
U. Sundar Rao, an auto-rickshaw driver from Visakhapatnam, has been offering free transport to pregnant women for 26 years. He was honoured during Independence Day celebrations, with a certificate of appreciation presented by Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad and the district administration led by Collector Abhishikt Kishore. The recognitions came as part of a city-wide acknowledgment of his public service.
Rao notes that he coordinates with ASHA workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs), who contact him when a pregnant woman needs hospital access. He travels to the location, drops the woman at the hospital, and does not charge for the service. He has also extended free transport to elderly and differently-abled individuals during community events such as Chandanotsavam and Margasira Masostsavams.
The driver attributes his motivation to his father, U. Prakash, who operated as a rickshaw-puller in the 1970s and started ferrying pregnant women for free, continuing the practice into the 1990s with a three-wheeler.
Why It Matters
The acts of Rao illustrate sustained grassroots public service that complements formal healthcare access, particularly in emergencies or times when admissions are necessary for childbirth. The recognition by local authorities and a state minister highlights a role for community-based transport in supporting maternal health, especially in a city with noted coordination between frontline health workers and drivers.
Background
Rao’s father established the family’s tradition of free transport for pregnant women, influencing Rao to continue the service. The practice predates modern emergency transport options and has persisted alongside government outreach through ASHA workers and ANMs who guide patients toward hospital delivery.
Key Facts
- Location: Visakhapatnam (Vizag), India
- Driver: U. Sundar Rao
- Service duration: 26 years of offering free transport to pregnant women
- People helped: 9,423 pregnant women since 2000
- Awards: Felicitated by district administration during Independence Day celebrations; certificate of appreciation presented by Revenue Minister Anagani Satya Prasad
- Support network: ASHA workers and Auxiliary Nurse Midwives (ANMs) coordinate requests
- Other free transport: Elderly and differently-abled during Chandanotsavam and Margasira Masostsavams
- Influence: Rao’s service follows his father, U. Prakash, who ran a free transport service in the 1970s and 1990s
What Happens Next
The report notes Rao’s stated aim that other auto-rickshaw drivers also contribute to public service, though no specific future actions or schedules are announced beyond the ongoing practice and prior recognition.
Sources reviewed
Project Chintan independently synthesized and analyzed information cross-checked across the sources listed above.
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