Finding My St. John Ambulance Brigade Gold Medal: A Bengaluru Memory
A Surprising Discovery
While cleaning out my personal archives last month, I made an incredible discovery—a small, tarnished brass medal resting quietly at the bottom of an old keepsake box. It was a moment of immediate time travel.
This wasn’t just any artifact; it was my St. John Ambulance Brigade Gold Medal, awarded on July 17, 1992, in Bengaluru.
The medal holds very specific details on its reverse side:
- Serial Number: 2178603
- Awardee Name: Sri B. C. Dharanendra Murthy
- Date: 17th July 1992
- Organization: St. John Ambulance Association / Brigade (Karnataka State Centre, Bengaluru)
The Backstory: Volunteering in Bengaluru
Finding this award brought back a rush of memories from my college days in Bengaluru. During the early 1990s, volunteering with the St. John Ambulance Brigade was more than just an extracurricular activity—it was a true commitment.
I still remember the intense first aid competitions, the rigorous drills, and the camaraderie of our brigade divisions. We weren’t just learning to be “first responders”; we were learning about community duty and emergency care. Receiving this gold medal was the culmination of that dedication.
About St. John Ambulance Brigade
For those unfamiliar, the St. John Ambulance Brigade (India) is part of a global movement dedicated to teaching and practicing first aid and healthcare services. Known worldwide for its humanitarian mission, the organization empowers thousands of youth every year with essential life-saving skills, emergency preparedness, and a strong sense of civic duty.
Lessons That Endure
Looking back, the values instilled during those days in Bengaluru have carried through my entire professional and personal journey:
- Composure Under Pressure: Learning to evaluate and act calmly in sudden, critical situations.
- Teamwork & Trust: Understanding that in emergency response, coordination and mutual trust are everything.
- Service to Others: Recognizing that leadership begins with a commitment to helping people when they need it most.
Discovering this medal wasn’t just about nostalgia—it was a grounding reminder of where my values were forged and the importance of serving others.
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