Latest news with #AravindSanka
Time of India
a day ago
- Health
- Time of India
Over 1,000 bike and cab drivers trained in life-saving emergency response skills
Recently, on the occasion of World Emergency Day, the Society for Acute Care, Trauma, and Emergency Medicine (SACTEM), in collaboration with Rapido, successfully conducted CPR and First Aid training for over 1000 Rapido drivers across 16 cities. These training sessions were specifically designed to empower Rapido drivers - individuals who are constantly on the move and often the first witnesses to road traffic accidents (RTAs). By equipping them with basic emergency response skills, SACTEM and Rapido aim to enhance community-level responsiveness and save lives during the critical Golden Hour — the first hour after trauma, where timely intervention significantly increases chances of survival and reduces disability. According to recent data, India reports more than 4.6 lakh road traffic accidents annually, with over 1.5 lakh fatalities. A large percentage of these deaths occur due to the lack of timely first aid and delayed transport to hospitals. Studies show that treatment within the Golden Hour can prevent up to 40% of deaths caused by RTAs. Empowering first responders with basic emergency care knowledge is, therefore, a vital step toward reducing this toll. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now Undo Aravind Sanka, Rapido co-founder, said, 'Our captains are not just mobility partners — they are integral to the fabric of our cities. This partnership with SACTEM reflects our belief that mobility goes beyond getting from point A to point B — it's about being a part of the community and stepping up when it matters. By equipping our captains with life-saving skills, we're taking a meaningful step toward making our roads safer and building a culture of care. We're proud to lead an initiative that empowers everyday heroes across our cities.' Dr. Nayan Sriramula, National Coordinator for this initiative, emphasized the crucial role of early intervention in both medical and surgical emergencies, highlighting that timely help can often mean the difference between life and death. Dr. Subhankar Paul, Academic Head of SACTEM and the lead designer of the training curriculum said, 'This is an example of how corporate-social partnerships can truly make an impact.' Such training programs will be continued in the coming months to cover other cities and include more drivers.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Rapido to provide basic life support training to over 1,000 drivers
Ride-sharing platform Rapido has partnered with the Society for Advanced Clinical and Therapeutic Emergency Medicine (SACTEM) to provide basic life support training to over 1,000 bike, auto and cab captains across 16 cities in the country, the company said on Wednesday. The initiative was flagged off on the World Emergency Medicine Day, which is observed globally on May 27 every year. Rapido refers to drivers on its platform as captains. The training is being rolled out in a phased manner, with the first phase covering captains across 16 cities such as Bangalore, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Vizag. Plans are underway to expand the initiative to many more locations in the coming months, Rapido said. "By equipping our captains with life-saving skills , Rapido is taking a meaningful step toward making the roads safer and building a culture of care," said Aravind Sanka, Co-founder, Rapido.
Indian Express
24-05-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Rapido doesn't engage in tipping, but pricing flexibility: Co-founder Aravind Sanka
A day after Union Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi pulled up ride-hailing apps over the advance tipping feature, Aravind Sanka, co-founder of Rapido, told The Indian Express on Friday that the bike taxi aggregator does not engage in tipping but allows pricing flexibility as a feature. 'Unlike other apps, Rapido is a SaaS based company, and we do not charge commissions, but subscription fees. We are a legion model where pricing is transparent, negotiated between consumers and drivers, and not influenced by us. It is not tipping—tipping implies a positive amount post-service, but here customers can increase or decrease the price before the ride, and drivers can accept or reject,' he said. Rapido also told The Indian Express that no notice has been served by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA), which has currently served notice only to Uber over advance tipping. Joshi has directed the CCPA to also probe other ride-hailing apps, terming advance tipping as 'unethical and exploitative' following multiple complaints from users. 'The app immediately offers customers the option to adjust the price—up or down—upon booking. It is not a nudge to pay more for quicker service, but a feature for pricing flexibility. It is not about tipping but about giving customers control over the fare, which drivers can accept or reject,' Sanka argued. The Rapido co-founder also stated that the option to adjust pricing is a feature and not a mandate. 'Customers can stick to the displayed price, increase it, decrease it, or cancel. It is about transparency and choice in a SaaS model, where the entire fare goes to the driver,' he said. Saravanan, a customer, said, 'When using Rapido, if the offered tip is declined, the app prompts users to increase it a second time. This shift from bargaining to persistent haggling creates a frustrating experience, pressuring users to pay more than initially intended.' Prajna Hebbar, another customer, said, 'Tipping before the trip is definitely exploitative. If the driver can take me for Rs 50, why should I pay extra Rs 20 to get a ride? This is nothing but arm-twisting the consumer, which is unethical.' Niranjanaradhya N, CEO of Brand Pride Mobility Pvt Ltd, that operates Nagara, another SaaS based platform that offers auto and cab services, said, 'Tip Before Trip is not just unethical — it is unfair. A ride should not begin with an extra charge or an invisible obligation. Yet today's urban mobility systems often burden the customer and disrespect the dignity of professional drivers.' Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More
