Dial 108 for emergency help

By Vijay Kumar

While the rest of India was busy hoisting the flag on Independence Day, Union Minister for Communications and IT Dayanidhi Maran inaugurated a great programme in Hyderabad – Dial 108 of Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI), an initiative by Andhra Pradesh Government and Satyam Computers Services Ltd. Call `108' which is similar to 911 and 1123 services in the US and the UK, would ensure timely and appropriate help for any emergency situation. If you find somebody hurt in a road accident, just call 108 and the victim will be taken to the nearest hospital. I dialled 108 at 2.30 am today and there was a chirpy girl answering the phone in a vibrant voice. And this was a few hours after the programme was officially inaugurated. It seems Satyam has spent about Rs 40 Crores on this project. This is all about corporate communications.