One can pass up an occasion for banqueting, but not an opportunity to be of help to someone facing bereavement or is up against a health crisis, their own or a family member’s. In bereavement and health crisis that draw the attention of the wider world because of the personalities involved, P.R.M.M. Shanthakumar has made his presence felt from time to time. His company, Flying Squad Ambulance Service, which offers emergency medical, mortuary and funeral services through its fleet of vehicles, some of them massively high-end, has been called on for assistance during loss and suffering involving big names.

Shantakumar points out that director the body of K. Bhagyaraj was transported in his company’s vehicle from the Apollo Hospital to the deceased director’s home in Nungambakkam. 

Shanthakumar underlines that his hearse vehicles had been pressed into service for three chief ministers of Tamil Nadu, carrying their mortal bodies; they are V. R. Nedunchezhiyan (who was briefly acting CM in 1969 and again in 1987), J. Jayalalithaa and ‘Kalaignar’ M. Karunanidhi. 

Shanthakumar explains that in recent times he is also focussed on providing a plush space for people to carry out rituals for their dear deceased. Based on a public-private partnership (PPP), in which he has tied up with Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC), he is offering a cosy air-conditioned space for the performance of rituals and funeral service at the Jones Road burial ground in Saidapet. 

A GCC official familiar with the development says a 1,200 sq.ft space was extended to him for the purpose. Shanthakumar notes the built-up area of the facility measures 2,400 sq.ft. The facility is not far from completion, and its inauguration would be announced in the near future, according to the source.

Shanthakumar has already established a similar funeral services facility at the burial ground on New Avadi Road. These facilities being established in collaboration with Greater Chennai Corporation are headlined “Dignified Farewell”.

Sixty-five-year-old Shanthakumar, a resident of Kilpauk Garden Colony in Kilpauk, reveals that became aware of the lack of ambulances and hearses when he had a ringside view of how a day goes at an auto stand outside Kilpauk medical college hospital. His father was an auto driver attached to the stand, and a young Shantakumar, in his teens then, noticed how bodies were being transported in autos for want of hearse services.

Shanthakumar lists among his company’s achievements the introduction of a women-led ambulance service, private mortuary, funeral services and pet funeral services. He draws attention to “two state-of-the-art ‘5G Super Smart Ambulances’, equipped with the latest life-saving technologies; each machine fitted with air suspension systems, ensuring maximum comfort and stability for critically ill patients during transport.” The services are offered across India, he notes. Other highlights of the services include eight paramedical Professionals, three on on-call doctors to accompany patients during critical intercity and interstate transfers; and 120 staff members tasked with patient care, mortuary management and funeral support services.