All work is accomplished by hard work and not by thinking. Just as animals like deer do not enter the mouth of a sleeping lion, but the lion himself has to hunt, in the same way, we should also work diligently to achieve the desired goal.
Venkat Changavalli's transformative journey with EMRI began after Raju, impressed by his leadership insights, offered him the role of CEO. Driven by a desire to contribute to society, Venkat accepted the position on February 12, 2005, leaving behind a lucrative corporate career.
Our dream was big: saving a million lives each year, all for free. How? By dialing 108, a simple, memorable number that caught on like wildfire and became the go-to lifeline for people across the nation.
Key Achievements:
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Launch of 108 Services: Initiated on August 15, 2005, in Hyderabad, the 108 emergency service quickly expanded to cover 12 states by 2011. This service provided free emergency response, accessible by dialing 108, a number chosen for its cultural and numerical significance.
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Significance of 108:
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Mathematics: 11 x 22 x 33 = 108
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Hindu Religion: God's name is chanted 108 times
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Cultural References: Lord Krishna dances with 108 Gopikas; Natraja dances in 108 poses
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Global Practices: In Japan, people chime the bell 108 times to finish the old year and welcome the new one; Yuri Gagarin orbited the earth 108 times
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Sports and Values: A baseball has 108 stitches; Friendship numerically adds up to 108
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Scale of Operations: Under his leadership, EMRI grew from operating 15 ambulances to managing a fleet of 3,200, covering 430 million people. The service responded to 12,000 emergencies daily, with a remarkable track record of saving over 520,000 lives and conducting 150,000 deliveries.
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Partnerships: EMRI partnered with Satyam Computers (now Tech Mahindra) for technology solutions, NENA and 911 Austin for emergency management practices, and medical experts from Stanford School of Medicine, Singapore Health Services, AAEMI, and AAPI for guidance and expertise.
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Public Private Partnership (PPP) Model: EMRI pioneered a successful PPP model, focusing on serving the poor, pregnant women, and pediatrics. This model emphasized passion, professionalism, public support, and political will, ensuring effective and ethical service delivery.
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Impact: The service quickly gained national recognition, becoming a lifeline for millions. The central location and rapid response capabilities of EMRI made it a model for other emergency services across India.
Despite facing challenges, including the fallout from the Satyam scandal, Venkat's steadfast leadership ensured EMRI's continuity and growth. He successfully navigated the crisis, secured a partnership with GVK Foundation, and maintained the organization's reputation for excellence and integrity. The Prime Minister, Sri Narendra Modi, inaugurated EMRI's modern Emergency Management Centre, highlighting the significance of their work.
Appointed by the Government of Andhra Pradesh, Venkat served as Managing Director of ABC, transforming the lives of underprivileged Brahmins through innovative schemes and advanced technology integration.
Key Achievements:
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Innovative Schemes: Venkat introduced visionary schemes such as Bharti, Dronacharya, Chanakya, and Kashyapa, designed to uplift and empower the community.
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Technology Integration: He pioneered the use of advanced technology to ensure transparency and efficiency, eliminating intermediaries from the process.
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Impact: Over two years, ABC's initiatives benefited 45,000 underprivileged Brahmins, with a commitment of Rs. 100 crores for education, skill elevation, entrepreneurship, and overall well-being. This support represented a gateway to brighter futures, enriching lives and fostering a sense of purpose.
Venkat Changavalli conceived and executed the UP 100 Police Emergency Management System, transforming police emergency response in Uttar Pradesh. This initiative combined leadership, innovation, skilled personnel, and cutting-edge technology to provide integrated, round-the-clock services.
Key Achievements:
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Launch: The foundation stone was laid on December 19, 2015, and UP 100 was officially launched on November 19, 2016, with a budget of Rs. 2,200 crores.
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State-of-the-Art Facility: A 200,000 sq. ft. call response center in Lucknow staffed by 700 women handled distress calls in multiple languages. Each call was managed within 30 seconds, ensuring rapid and effective response.
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Operational Efficiency: The system handled 1,20,000 daily calls with 15,000 dispatches, significantly reducing the burden on police stations and allowing them to focus on serious crimes. SOPs and extensive training ensured consistent and effective responses.
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Impact: From November 19, 2016, to January 31, 2019, UP 100 responded to over 10 million events, saving more than 1,200 lives. The system's transparency and reliability, particularly in rural areas, empowered the most vulnerable and reduced political influence over the police.
For his exceptional contributions, He was awarded the prestigious "Yash Bharti" award, Uttar Pradesh's highest honor.
Venkat Changavalli's dedication to serving society through innovative leadership has left an indelible mark on emergency response and welfare systems in India. His commitment to excellence, integrity, and public service continues to inspire and transform lives, demonstrating the profound impact of visionary leadership on society.
