Losing His Brother Inspired Him to Offer Free Ambulances & Feed 1.5 Lakh People in Tamil Nadu

9 May 2025

In 2008, Durai Prithviraj’s younger brother met with a fatal accident near Aruppukottai, 20 km from their home in Tamil Nadu’s Virudhunagar district.

“There was no ambulance or hearse van nearby. I had to pay a large sum just to get his body home and conduct his last rites,” recalls Durai.

Haunted by this, Durai kept thinking: What would poor families do in such a situation? That thought stayed with him for years.

After graduating in 2011, Durai became a village administrative officer. From his modest salary, he began saving every month to buy a van.

“I’d save almost 50 percent of my earnings. I also spent from my own pocket to help people with food, clothes, medicines and more,” he says.

In 2018, he bought a second-hand Omni for Rs 1.8 lakh. He raised more funds to modify it with a bed and first-aid kits to run as an ambulance.

“We offer free rides to those who can’t afford it. Those who can, give what they wish. It helps with fuel and maintenance,” says Durai.

His NGO, Rajesh Udhavum Karangal, now runs three free ambulances helping people within 40 km — sometimes even up to 100 km away.  

Inspired by his work, donors began supporting him. One even gifted a second-hand van, now named ‘Aandalammavin Thunai’ in memory of his grandmother.

Durai also converted part of his home into a shelter. Volunteers help cook and serve three meals a day to hundreds of people. 

So far, they have provided over 1.5 lakh free meals to the underprivileged through Rajesh Udhavum Karangal.