Chapter 11

∗ This article is based on a speech given by Venkat Changavalli, CEO, EMRI, at the Beacon conference in 2007 organized by LIBA. Subsequently, in late 2008, the Satyam scandal broke out when Ramalinga Raju confessed to manipulating the company's accounts. As a consequence of the scandal, EMRI started looking for corporate backers besides Satyam and several board members of EMRI resigned. Now EMRI is also under the scanner as a PIL has been filed against it. Matters are currently subjudice.

1. On 15 September, EMRI commissioned the integrated emergency services in Chennai. These services are expected to be extended to other districts of Tamil Nadu in a phased manner. Tamil Nadu is one of the several states which have roped in the services of EMRI. According to a report, EMRI outsourced by the government to handle fire, police and medical emergencies, by end of October 2008, has helped 2,557 patients reach hospital on time and at least 35 people survive head injuries, heart attacks or some other life threatening emergency. (Times News Network, ‘In 6 weeks, “108” Changes the Face of Trauma Care”, Times of India, Chennai, 29 October 2008). EMRI services are now available in the states of Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Goa, Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Karnataka, and Assam.