Aizawl (Mizoram) , April 29 : Despite the inclement weather in Mizoram’s capital here hundreds here on Tuesday came out to thank and cheer two ambulance drivers Jeyanthiran and Chinnathambi.
They had driven nearly 3,450 km from Chennai to Aizawl carrying the body of a Mizo youth, Vivian Remsanga, who died in Chennai.
They covered the entire distance in 84 hrs to ensure Vivian’s body is laid to rest in his home state despite the nationwide lockdown in wake of Covid -19 outbreak in the country .
The Mizo Welfare Association in Chennai said that amid lockdown arranging for such a journey was difficult but the two drivers who were happy to take this journey.
On the from Chennai to Aizawl, the three men were welcomed by Mizo communities in Kolkata, Siliguri, Guwahati and villages along the national highway in Mizoram.
The two ambulance drivers, to whom Chief Minister Zoramthanga said: “Mizoram salutes you!” received Rs 2,000 each from Dr K Beichhuau, a state minister, in addition to ambulance costs and sets of traditional Mizo clothes.
The Chief Minister tweeted: ” This is how Mizoram welcomes the(se) real life heroes! Because we believe in humanity and nationality,” Chief Minister Zoramthanga tweeted, adding, “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You’ve just shown what every Mizo heartbeat means when it comes to the term “Tlawmngaihna” (a Mizo term roughly translated as being kind and helpful to others).
“Three thousand plus miles of hardship and struggles won’t dampen the spirit of resting the tragic earthly remains of Vivian Lalremsanga by his friend AVL Malchhanhima and Jeyantjiran and Chinnathambi,” he added in another tweet.
Chief Minister of Mizoram Zoramthanga in tweet said , “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! You’ve just shown what every Mizo heartbeat means when it comes to the term “Tlawmngaihna”!”
During the journey they also received mementos and cash in recognition of their selfless service.
The journey which started from Tamil Nadu had to cross states like Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, West Bengal, Meghalaya, Assam, and finally reach Mizoram.
Both the drivers would alternately drive for eight hours and a friend of the deceased Raphael would keep a track of the GPS.
On reaching Aizawl The drivers were facilitated and were also handed over traditional Mizo shirts .
