Sarathi Activities

Sarathi is a Helpline for Drivers

Mission

For Accident Free Roads and Passenger Friendly Drivers!

Sarathi Overview

Sarathi visualizes its activities for the upliftment of the unorganized, and powerless group of Taxi drivers in to an organized and powerful group of people through

Motivation:- By respecting and valuing them as equals -By training them about the significance of their job - By instilling hope and self-confidence in them -By helping them take personal pride in what they do.

Appreciation:- By exercising the basic virtues of respect, dignity, kindness and courtesy in all dealings -By giving recognition and credit appropriately and frequently -By valuing their contribution without looking at their back-ground or status.

Revitalization:- By committing to make a difference to the customers -By working together with trust to achieve superior customer service -By encouraging open, honest communication -By treating others as we ourselves would like to be treated. 

Integral Development:- By helping them help themselves -By improving the social, economical, cultural and educational aspects of the family -By inculcating ethical and moral values.

Description

The study conducted among the taxi drivers by the Sarathi volunteers came to the conclusion that this section of society is exploited, economically backward, and not organized at all in order to win over their rights in society. There are drivers with tremendous capacities and talents, who can do a lot of good for society. But the only thing that remain underlined about them is that there is no one to guide them, to motivate them, to improve themselves, to appreciate them for the good deeds done by them. There is no one to put a new strength or power into them for their self growth, and to make them an integrated group of our society.

വിളിപ്പാടകലെ ജീവന്റെ മാലാഖമാര്‍

എവിടെയെങ്കിലും അപകടം നടന്നാല്‍ 102 എന്ന മൂന്നക്കനമ്പറില്‍ അമര്‍ത്തൂ... 'ഏഞ്ചല്‍' നിങ്ങളുടെ സഹായത്തിനെത്തും.

വഴിയിലൊരു അപകടം. ചോരയില്‍ക്കുളിച്ചു കിടക്കുന്നവരുടെ നിലവിളികള്‍ കാതുകളില്‍ വന്നലയ്ക്കുന്നു. അവരെ എങ്ങനെയും രക്ഷപ്പെടുത്തണമെന്നുണ്ട് നിങ്ങള്‍ക്ക്. എന്നാല്‍ തലങ്ങും വിലങ്ങും ചീറിപ്പായുന്ന വാഹനങ്ങളൊന്നും നിര്‍ത്തുന്നതേയില്ലെങ്കിലോ? വിഷമിക്കേണ്ട. ഇതാ, ഒരു വിളിപ്പാടകലെ വാഹനങ്ങളുണ്ട്. കൊച്ചുവാഹനമൊന്നുമല്ല, ആബുലന്‍സ് തന്നെ. 102 എന്ന മൂന്നക്ക നമ്പറിലേക്ക് വിരലമര്‍ത്തൂ. അപകടം നടന്ന സ്ഥലത്തിനടുത്ത് എവിടെയെങ്കിലും ആംബുലന്‍സ് ഉണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ നിമിഷങ്ങള്‍ക്കുള്ളില്‍ നിങ്ങളുടെ മുന്നിലേക്കു പാഞ്ഞെത്തിയിരിക്കും.

ഇത് മായവും മന്ത്രവുമൊന്നുമല്ല. ഏഞ്ചല്‍ എന്ന ടെക്‌നോ ചാരിറ്റി പദ്ധതിയാണ് രക്ഷയ്‌ക്കെത്തുന്നത്. ഏഞ്ചല്‍ എന്നാല്‍ ആക്ടീവ് നെറ്റ്‌വര്‍ക് ഗ്രൂപ്പ് ഓഫ് എമര്‍ജന്‍സി ലൈഫ് സേവേഴ്‌സ്. 102 എന്ന സൗജന്യ നമ്പറിലേക്ക് അപകടം നടന്ന സ്ഥലം ഏതാണെന്ന് വിളിച്ചറിയിച്ചാല്‍ മതി. ഓട്ടോമാറ്റിക്കായി അതിനടുത്തുള്ള ആംബുലന്‍സിന് വിവരമെത്തും. അങ്ങനെയാണ് ആംബുലന്‍സ് അപകടസ്ഥലത്ത് കുതിച്ചെത്തുന്നത്.

കണ്ണൂര്‍, കോഴിക്കോട്, മലപ്പുറം, പാലക്കാട്, വയനാട് എന്നീ അഞ്ച് ജില്ലകളിലാണ് ഏഞ്ചല്‍ ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഉള്ളത്. കണ്ണൂരില്‍ 30 വാഹനങ്ങള്‍ ഇതിന്റെ സേവനത്തിലുണ്ട്. ഇത് ഈ വര്‍ഷം 100 ആക്കും. കോഴിക്കോട് ജില്ലയില്‍ 110 വാഹനങ്ങളില്‍ ഈ സംവിധാനം ഉണ്ട്. ഇനി അപകടത്തില്‍പ്പെട്ടവരെ കൃത്യസമയത്ത് ആസ്പത്രിയിലെത്തിക്കാന്‍ വാഹനം കിട്ടാതെ ആരുടെയെങ്കിലും ജീവന്‍ അപകടത്തിലാകുമെന്ന പേടി വേണ്ട. ഒരു വിളിപ്പാടകലെ ഏഞ്ചലുണ്ട്. വഴിയിലൊരു അപകടം. ചോരയില്‍ക്കുളിച്ചു കിടക്കുന്നവരുടെ നിലവിളികള്‍ കാതുകളില്‍ വന്നലയ്ക്കുന്നു. അവരെ എങ്ങനെയും രക്ഷപ്പെടുത്തണമെന്നുണ്ട് നിങ്ങള്‍ക്ക്. എന്നാല്‍ തലങ്ങും വിലങ്ങും ചീറിപ്പായുന്ന വാഹനങ്ങളൊന്നും നിര്‍ത്തുന്നതേയില്ലെങ്കിലോ? വിഷമിക്കേണ്ട. ഇതാ, ഒരു വിളിപ്പാടകലെ വാഹനങ്ങളുണ്ട്. കൊച്ചുവാഹനമൊന്നുമല്ല, ആബുലന്‍സ് തന്നെ. 102 എന്ന മൂന്നക്ക നമ്പറിലേക്ക് വിരലമര്‍ത്തൂ. അപകടം നടന്ന സ്ഥലത്തിനടുത്ത് എവിടെയെങ്കിലും ആംബുലന്‍സ് ഉണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ നിമിഷങ്ങള്‍ക്കുള്ളില്‍ നിങ്ങളുടെ മുന്നിലേക്കു പാഞ്ഞെത്തിയിരിക്കും.

ഇത് മായവും മന്ത്രവുമൊന്നുമല്ല. ഏഞ്ചല്‍ എന്ന ടെക്‌നോ ചാരിറ്റി പദ്ധതിയാണ് രക്ഷയ്‌ക്കെത്തുന്നത്. ഏഞ്ചല്‍ എന്നാല്‍ ആക്ടീവ് നെറ്റ്‌വര്‍ക് ഗ്രൂപ്പ് ഓഫ് എമര്‍ജന്‍സി ലൈഫ് സേവേഴ്‌സ്. 102 എന്ന സൗജന്യ നമ്പറിലേക്ക് അപകടം നടന്ന സ്ഥലം ഏതാണെന്ന് വിളിച്ചറിയിച്ചാല്‍ മതി. ഓട്ടോമാറ്റിക്കായി അതിനടുത്തുള്ള ആംബുലന്‍സിന് വിവരമെത്തും. അങ്ങനെയാണ് ആംബുലന്‍സ് അപകടസ്ഥലത്ത് കുതിച്ചെത്തുന്നത്.

കണ്ണൂര്‍, കോഴിക്കോട്, മലപ്പുറം, പാലക്കാട്, വയനാട് എന്നീ അഞ്ച് ജില്ലകളിലാണ് ഏഞ്ചല്‍ ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഉള്ളത്. കണ്ണൂരില്‍ 30 വാഹനങ്ങള്‍ ഇതിന്റെ സേവനത്തിലുണ്ട്. ഇത് ഈ വര്‍ഷം 100 ആക്കും. കോഴിക്കോട് ജില്ലയില്‍ 110 വാഹനങ്ങളില്‍ ഈ സംവിധാനം ഉണ്ട്. ഇനി അപകടത്തില്‍പ്പെട്ടവരെ കൃത്യസമയത്ത് ആസ്പത്രിയിലെത്തിക്കാന്‍ വാഹനം കിട്ടാതെ ആരുടെയെങ്കിലും ജീവന്‍ അപകടത്തിലാകുമെന്ന പേടി വേണ്ട. ഒരു വിളിപ്പാടകലെ ഏഞ്ചലുണ്ട്.

Ref: http://www.mathrubhumi.com/

Practice Safety

Safe Walking

• Use zebra crossing.
• Don't cross the road at bends / blind corners. It is dangerous.
• Wear light coloured clothes at night.
• Use pavements / footpaths and be safe.
• Don't walk in groups on the road.
• Never chase a ball, playmate or kite on the road. 

Safe Bus Travel

Make it a habit to form a queue. Board and alight a bus only after it halts at bus stops. Grip the handle bar or strap firmly, while standing in the bus. Be ready in advance to alight at your destination. While in the bus, shouting or making noise can distract the driver and cause an accident. Leaning out of the bus or letting your arms or head stick out of the window can maim you for life.

Safe Cycling

While cycling be attentive to your riding and your surroundings. Keep your cycle in good working condition. Show appropriate hand signal before taking any turn/before changing lanes. Ride on the left-hand side of the road, preferably on cycle tracks and not on pavements. Paint the rear mudguard white and get a reflect or fitted on it. Wear a protective helmet while riding.

Reducing Road Crashes

Road traffic crashes are predictable and can be prevented. Many countries have shown sharp reductions in the number of crashes and casualties by taking actions including:
• Raising awareness of, legislating and enforcing laws governing speed limits, alcohol impairment, seat-belt use, child restraints and safety helmets.
• Formulating and implementing transport and land-use policies that promote safer and more efficient trips; encouraging the use of safer modes of travel, such as public transport; and incorporating injury prevention measures into traffic management and road design.
• Making vehicles more protective and visible for occupants, pedestrians and cyclists; using daytime running lights, high-mounted brake lights and reflective materials on cycles, carts, rickshaws and other non-motorized forms of transport.

 

ആളില്ലാ ലെവല്‍ക്രോസുകളിലെ സുരക്ഷയ്ക്കുള്ള കണ്ടുപിടിത്തവുമായി ശ്രീകുമാര്‍

കൊല്ലം: ആളില്ലാ ലെവല്‍ക്രോസുകളില്‍ അപകടങ്ങള്‍ പെരുകിയിട്ട് നാളേറെയായി. ഇതിനൊരവസാനം വേണമെന്ന ആഗ്രഹവുമായി റെയില്‍വേ അധികൃതര്‍ക്കു മുന്നില്‍ പ്രതീക്ഷയോടെ നില്‍ക്കുകയാണ് ശ്രീകുമാര്‍. മൂന്നുകിലോമീറ്റര്‍ അകലെ തീവണ്ടി എത്തുമ്പോഴേ ലെവല്‍ ക്രോസില്‍ സൈറണ്‍ മുഴങ്ങുന്ന സാങ്കേതികവിദ്യ അധികൃതര്‍ക്കുമുന്നില്‍ അവതരിപ്പിക്കുകയാണ് ഈ പ്രതിഭ. പാളത്തിലെ വിള്ളലും തടസ്സവും മുന്‍കൂട്ടി അറിഞ്ഞ് സ്വയം ഓഫാകുന്ന എന്‍ജിന്‍ കണ്ടുപിടിച്ച അദ്ദേഹം ഏറെ പ്രതീക്ഷയോടെയാണ് തന്റെ അടുത്ത കണ്ടുപിടിത്തവുമായി എത്തുന്നത്.
ആളില്ലാ ലെവല്‍ക്രോസിന്റെ ഇരുവശങ്ങളിലും മൂന്നുകിലോമീറ്റര്‍ അകലെയാണ് പാളത്തില്‍ ഉപകരണം ഘടിപ്പിക്കുന്നത്. തീവണ്ടിപോകുമ്പോള്‍ പാളത്തിലുണ്ടാകുന്ന കമ്പനങ്ങള്‍ (വൈബ്രേഷന്‍) പിടിച്ചെടുത്ത് ഉപകരണം സന്ദേശം അയയ്ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ ലെവല്‍ക്രോസില്‍ സൈറണ്‍ മുഴങ്ങും. സിഗ്‌നല്‍ ലൈറ്റുകളും പ്രകാശിക്കും. തീവണ്ടി കടന്നുപോയതിനുശേഷമേ സൈറണ്‍ നിലയ്ക്കൂ. അപകടത്തില്‍ നിന്നൊഴിഞ്ഞുനില്‍ക്കാന്‍ ജനങ്ങളെ ഇത് സഹായിക്കും. 4000ടണ്ണില്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ ഭാരമുള്ള വസ്തു ഉപകരണത്തിനു മുകളിലൂടെ കടന്നുപോയാല്‍ മാത്രമേ ഇത് പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കൂ എന്നതിനാല്‍ അബദ്ധം സംഭവിക്കില്ല. ട്രാക്കിന്റെ അറ്റകുറ്റപ്പണിക്കും ഈ ഉപകരണം തടസ്സമാകില്ല. ഇത് കേടാകാനുള്ള സാധ്യതയും വളരെ കുറവാണെന്ന് ശ്രീകുമാര്‍ പറഞ്ഞു.
ഡി.സി.വൈദ്യുതിയില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന ഉപകരണത്തില്‍ സൗരോര്‍ജപാനലും ബാറ്ററിയും ഉണ്ട്. ഏതുരീതിയിലും ഇത് പ്രവര്‍ത്തിപ്പിക്കാം.
ഓച്ചിറ ലെവല്‍ക്രോസ് അപകടത്തിന്റെ പശ്ചാത്തലത്തില്‍ ശ്രീകുമാറിന്റെ കണ്ടുപിടിത്തത്തിന് പ്രാധാന്യം ഏറെയാണെങ്കിലും റെയില്‍വേ ഇതുവരെ കനിഞ്ഞിട്ടില്ല. തിരുവനന്തപുരത്തുനിന്നുള്ള റെയില്‍വേ ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥര്‍ കഴിഞ്ഞ ദിവസം തന്റെ വീട്ടിലെത്തി പുതിയ സംവിധാനത്തിന്റെ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനമാതൃക കണ്ടതായി ശ്രീകുമാര്‍ പറഞ്ഞു. എന്നാല്‍ മറ്റു നടപടികളൊന്നും ഉണ്ടായില്ല.ബീച്ച്‌റോഡിലെ വിജയവിലാസം വീട്ടില്‍ പരാധീനതകളോടു പടവെട്ടിയാണ് ശ്രീകുമാര്‍ തന്റെ കണ്ടുപിടിത്തങ്ങളില്‍ മുഴുകുന്നത്. എട്ടാം ക്ലാസില്‍ പഠനം നിര്‍ത്തേണ്ടിവന്നെങ്കിലും സ്വയം ഇലക്ട്രീഷ്യന്‍ പഠനം നടത്തിയാണ് കണ്ടുപിടിത്തങ്ങളുടെ വഴിയില്‍ സഞ്ചാരം തുടങ്ങിയത്. ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥരും ഭരണകൂടവും കനിഞ്ഞാല്‍ തന്റെ നേട്ടങ്ങള്‍ സമൂഹത്തിനുകൂടി പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുത്താമെന്ന പ്രതീക്ഷയിലാണ് ഈ യുവാവ്.

Stay Safe On Rainy Season

The rainy season is upon us once again. While we appreciate the rain and what it can do for the valley, precautions should be taken to ensure safety for you and your co-workers.

Below, you will find safety tips on Staying Safe during the Rainy Season:

Slips & Falls

• Wear appropriate footwear with solid support and slip resistant soles.

• Don’t be in a hurry; avoid slipping on wet sidewalks or walkways by taking slow, short steps.

• Avoid walking through puddles no matter how shallow they appear.

• Avoid using wet stairs; use the elevator during the rainy season.

• If you do use the stairs, never walk the stairs with your hands in your pockets, and always use the handrails.

• Be alert to water that may be tracked in around doorways; be a leader in safety by cleaning up wet hazards.

• Make sure that there are entry matt’s in the doorways so workers can dry their feet before entering.

While Driving

• Give yourself more time for heavy traffic due to rain.

• Obey the speed limit and drive slower in the rain; the roads are very slick when wet!

• Maintain an extra distance between you and the vehicle in front of you.

• Make sure that the windshield wipers are in proper working order; change the wiper blades before the rainy season arrives.

• Make sure that the defroster is in proper working order; keep the dash clear so as to not block the defroster.

• Turn on your headlights while driving during rainy weather.

• Do not drive around road barricades; they are there for your safety, the road or bridge may be washed out.

• Avoid driving into flooded areas; if your vehicle stalls in rapidly rising floodwaters, abandon it immediately and climb to higher ground.

Handy things to be kept in the car :

• Hammer: to break the glass in case of an auto-lock system failure.
• Thick nylon rope, about 20 meters long, with a hook
• Fully charged powerful torch.
• A working whistle.
• Plastic sheets and spare umbrella.
• Keep extra tyre (stepni) ready all the times.
• Adequate dry, non -perishable food items.
• Adequate quantity of water.
• A well equipped emergency first aid kid.

ABSOLUTE DONT'S IN RAINY SEASON DRIVING

• Don’t drive in heavy rain - When visibility is so limited that the edges of the road or other vehicles cannot be seen at a safe distance, it is time to pull over and wait for the rain to ease up. It is best to stop at rest areas or other protected areas. If the roadside is your only option, pull off as far as possible, and wait until the rain slows. Keep your headlights on and turn on emergency flashers to alert other drivers.

 

• Do not apply brakes suddenly while driving in the rain, instead control the speed with the accelerator, pump the brake peddle and apply the brake slowly, as sudden braking may result in skidding or overturning of the vehicle.

 

• Do not suddenly swing the vehicle while driving in the rain which can result in the vehicle skidding or rolling over.

 

• Avoid driving in the rain during darkness. A simple but important thumb rule is “if you can’t see the road, there is no road”. At night, rainy roads become especially treacherous. The glare of oncoming lights is amplified by the rain on your windscreen which causes temporary loss of visibility, which can result in an accident. This also increases driver fatigue. Livestock, pedestrians, bicycles & other two wheelers are extremely hard to spot and even harder to avoid.

 

• Never drive through moving water until and unless you can see the ground clearly. if you can't see the ground through it; your vehicle could be swept off the road.

 

• Avoid off-road driving.it's hard to judge the actual depth of puddles and you can easily become stuck.

 

• During thunderstorm avoid contact with metal or conducting surfaces outside and inside the vehicle. Lightning that strikes nearby can travel through wet ground to your car.

When we share the responsibility for road safety , everyone wins!!

Digital video exhibition for Road safety

Easily Green Your Daily Routine - 30 Tips

We can all do our part to protect the planet by using less and acting more. Going green is not as difficult as you might think. Here we walk through 30 easy ways to green our daily routine.

IN GENERAL:

• Plant a tree! One for every person on the planet – by the end of this year! 

• Find needy homes or charitable organizations for things that you no longer need or want rather than throwing it away.

DAILY ROUTINE:

AT HOME:

• It would seem to go without saying, but many of us forget that we can save water in simple ways like not letting the tap run while shaving, washing your face, or brushing your teeth.
• Insulating your water heater will help save valuable energy, and you can go the extra mile by installing showerheads with a low flow in your bathrooms for bathing purposes to help save water. You can also put a timer on your heaters to save power.
• Using an electric razor or hand razor with replaceable blades instead of disposable razors goes a long way to cutting back on waste. And plant a tree.
• Use towels for drying your face and hands instead of tissues that are used and thrown away. Also, hang your towels to dry so that they can be reused several times. You are after all clean when you use them!
• Juice or yoghurt lovers can do their bit by buying juice in concentrates and yoghurt in reusable containers instead of single serving packages.
• Many of us like to leaf through the paper as we munch on breakfast, but consider reading the dailies in communal spaces like the office or coffee shops. However, if you prefer to have your own copy, make sure you recycle!
• When packing your lunch, opt for reusable containers for food storage instead of wrapping the food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
• When deciding what you're going to eat for the day, go vegan(avoid using or consuming animal products)once a week. Many people may not know this, but raising animals for food generates a considerable amount of greenhouse gases!
• As you leave the house, don’t forget to switch off all the lights and appliances at the wall unit (if you have this feature) and unplug chargers as they continue to consume even if they are not charging; saving energy helps reduce air pollution.

GETTING TO WORK:

• Don’t go anywhere without your cloth bag so you can just say no to plastic whenever you shop.
• Radical as it may seem, in today’s “the easier the better” society, the easiest way to reduce your carbon footprint is by avoiding driving altogether. Power down and Instead try biking, walking, carpooling, public transport or an occasional telecommute.
• If you have no other choice than to drive to work, look for the most fuel- efficient car model for your next purchase and keep your tyres inflated to the correct pressure.

• If you’re one of the lucky few blessed with clear stretches of road on your way to work, use cruise control, as it saves fuel and also helps you maintain a constant speed.
• If you’re among the majority of drivers who spend their mornings stuck in traffic, consider turning your engine off if you will be idling for long periods of time. And plant a tree.
• For those who suffer from road rage, remember that aggressive driving lowers your mileage, so if you want to save on fuel and save the planet while you’re at it, accelerate gradually-- something to keep that in mind the next time that bad driver cuts you off! Just count to 10 and say the planet needs me!

AT WORK:

• Do you have a morning hot drink routine? Using a washable mug is an environmentally-friendly alternative to non-biodegradable styrofoam or plastic cups.
• Leave a cup and reusable bottle for water at work to eliminate buying drinks, which get served in plastic cups, or bottled water. 80% of plastic bottles are recyclable but only 20% are actually recycled.
• When you need a pad for lists and messages, turn over an old document and write on the back of that instead.
• If there isn’t an office recycling system, start one yourself! Recycling our trash actually contributes to reducing global warming emissions. And it is estimated that 75% of what is thrown in the trash could actually be recycled, though currently only 25% is.
• When you must have a paper copy, make sure you default your printer option to use both sides. This is an easy tree-saver!
• Most computer accessories like ink cartridges and CDs and DVDs are made of materials that could be reused. Computer cords and speakers are fairly standardized, meaning they can be used for a variety of computer models and makes.
• Lower your office’s carbon footprint by seeing computers, monitors, printers, copiers, speakers and other business equipment to their energy saving feature and turning them off at the end of the day. And plant a tree!
• Turning off all unnecessary lights, especially in unused offices and conference rooms is an easy way to save energy.
• If you’re in search of something to personalize your workspace, look no further than the humble houseplant. Houseplants are good for the environment because they remove quantities of pollutants present in the air.

AFTER A LONG DAY:

• In the summer/warmer months, consider using an interior fan in conjunction with your window air-conditioner to spread the cooled air more effectively through your home. While you’re at it, in winter, lower your thermostat and put on a jumper. In summer, increase it and wear lighter clothes, you will also save money!
• Don’t place lamps or TV sets near your air-conditioning thermostat as it senses heat from these appliances, which can cause the air-conditioner to run longer than necessary.
• When cooking dinner, match the size of the pan to the size of the heating element to lower energy wastage.
• When you are feeling at your laziest, don’t throw clean clothes in the hamper to avoid hanging them up! Wear jeans more than once…
• When you wash, use only eco-friendly products in your home. It’s best for you and the environment! And did we mention plant a tree! 

Ref: http://www.unep.org/

രക്തദാനം ജീവിതവ്രതമാക്കി ഷാജി

മാനന്തവാടി: രക്തംതേടി രക്തബാങ്കിനു മുന്നില്‍ വേവലാതിപ്പെടുന്നവര്‍ക്ക് ആരെങ്കിലും കുറിച്ചുകൊടുക്കുന്ന ഒരു മൊബൈല്‍ നമ്പറുണ്ട്. മാനന്തവാടിയിലെ ഓട്ടോ ഡ്രൈവറായ ഷാജി കമാലിയയുടെ 9847287188 എന്ന നമ്പര്‍.

''എട്ട് മണിക്ക്, രാവിലെ ആറുമണിക്ക് ബി നെഗറ്റീവ് മൂന്നു കുപ്പി, പതിന്നാലിന് ഉച്ചയ്ക്ക് ഒ പോസിറ്റീവ് നാലു കുപ്പി, അഞ്ച് മിനിറ്റുകൊണ്ട് എ നെഗറ്റീവ് മൂന്നു കുപ്പി-ഈ മൊബൈലിലേക്ക് വന്നുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന വിളികള്‍ ഇങ്ങനെയാണ്. ഓരോ വിളി വരുമ്പോഴും ഷാജി പരതുന്നത് തന്റെ മനസ്സില്‍ ഫീഡ്‌ചെയ്തുവെച്ച ബ്ലഡ് ഡയരക്ടറിയിലാണ്. അതില്‍നിന്നു തെളിയുന്ന മുഖങ്ങള്‍ നിര്‍ദേശിക്കും. അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ വിളിച്ചുകൊടുക്കും. ചിലപ്പോള്‍ നേരിട്ടുതന്നെ രക്തബാങ്കില്‍ ഹാജരാക്കും. ഓട്ടോ ഡ്രൈവിങ് മാത്രം ജീവിതവരുമാന മാര്‍ഗമായിട്ടുള്ള ഷാജിയുടെ ദിവസങ്ങള്‍ പലപ്പോഴും രക്തത്തിന് ഓടിത്തീരുന്നതും സാധാരണം.

പത്തു വര്‍ഷത്തിലധികമായി രക്തദാനം ജീവിതവ്രതമാണ് ഷാജി കമാലിയയ്ക്ക്. പതിനായിരത്തിലധികം പേര്‍ക്കെങ്കിലും രക്തം എത്തിച്ചുകൊടുത്തിട്ടുള്ള ഷാജി കണക്കുകളൊന്നും സൂക്ഷിച്ചിട്ടില്ല. സൂക്ഷിക്കാന്‍ ഷാജിക്കു സമയവുമില്ല. 44 തവണ ഇതിനകം ഷാജി രക്തം ദാനംചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ട്. കഴിഞ്ഞവര്‍ഷം മാത്രം ആയിരത്തില്‍ അധികം പേര്‍ക്ക് രക്തം എത്തിച്ചുകൊടുത്തു. ഓരോ മൂന്നുമാസം കൂടുമ്പോഴും സ്വന്തം രക്തം ദാനംചെയ്ത് മറ്റുള്ളവര്‍ക്ക് മാതൃകകൂടിയാകുന്നുണ്ട് ഷാജി.

രക്തം എത്തിച്ചുകൊടുക്കുന്നത് ചിലപ്പോള്‍ ഒരു ഫോണ്‍വിളികൊണ്ടുതന്നെ കഴിയും. കുന്നും മലയും കയറി ഇറങ്ങി പോകേണ്ട സ്ഥിതിയും വന്നുചേരാറുണ്ട്. ഒരുവിധം ആളെയും സംഘടിപ്പിച്ച് ആസ്​പത്രിയില്‍ എത്തിച്ചാല്‍ ചിലപ്പോള്‍ വെറും വാക്കില്‍ ഒരു 'താങ്ക്‌സ്' കിട്ടും. മറ്റുചിലപ്പോള്‍ വൈകിപ്പോയതിലെ പരിഭവങ്ങള്‍. ഓട്ടോ കാശ് എത്രയെന്നു പോലും അന്വേഷിക്കാതെ 'ഐ.സി.യു.' വാര്‍ഡിലേക്ക് ഓടിക്കയറുമ്പോള്‍ സ്നേഹപ്രകടനത്തിനായി രക്തത്തിനു വിലപറയുന്നവര്‍... രക്തബാങ്കിനു മുമ്പില്‍ നാനാവിധത്തിലുള്ള പെരുമാറ്റങ്ങള്‍ കാണുന്ന ഷാജിയെ ഇതൊന്നും തളര്‍ത്താറില്ല.

ഓട്ടോക്കൂലി മാത്രം ചോദിച്ചുവാങ്ങുന്ന ഷാജി നിര്‍ധന രോഗികള്‍ക്ക് ചിലപ്പോള്‍ സൗജന്യമായി മരുന്നുവാങ്ങി നല്‍കുകയും ചെയ്യും. മാനന്തവാടി പഴശ്ശി ഗ്രന്ഥാലയത്തിന്റെ സജീവ പ്രവര്‍ത്തകനായ ഷാജി ബ്ലഡ് ഡൊണേഷന്‍ ഫോറത്തിന്റെ കണ്‍വീനറുമായിരുന്നു. ബ്ലഡ് ഡൊണേഷന്‍ ഫോറത്തിന്റെ ജോ. കണ്‍വീനറായിരുന്ന ഒ പോസിറ്റീവുകാരി മുംതാംസിനെയാണ് ഷാജി ജീവിതസഖിയാക്കിയത്. ഡി.എം.ഒ. ഡോ. നീതാ സുകുമാരന്റെ പ്രോത്സാഹനവും സുഹൃത്തുക്കളുടെ സഹായസഹകരണവുമാണ് ഷാജിയെ രക്തദാനരംഗത്ത് സജീവമാക്കിയത്.

Aikyasarathi Magazine Jul- Aug 2012

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Let's Hail a Rickshaw.

DILIP SINGH looks important. A rickshaw puller by profession, he is also the president of the south zone Ecocab’s Dial-a-rickshaw service in Fazilka, a town in Punjab. Wearing a crisp shirt and smart shoes, he flashes his android cellphone and says, “Gone are the days when rickshaw pullers were known for dirty, unkempt looks.” Just like taxis in other cities, rickshaws in Fazilka arrive at the doorstep when called on their service number.

Complete with a fleet of uniform-wearing pullers and a strict etiquette code to follow, Dial a rickshaw is a modern twist to an old mode of transport. The rickshaw pullers can lose their licence if found misbehaving. Says Navdip Asija, an IIT graduate and a leading member of Graduates Welfare Association, Fazilka: “We did not want rickshaws to be known as a poor person’s transport. In this town even the wealthy and the aged demand such services.”
One can locate the nearest Ecocab call centre by using Google Maps or GPS. Ecocab also has a website where one can check details of the registered rickshaw pullers. 
Every day about 500 rickshaw pullers ferry 10,000 passengers. Each zone in the town has a dedicated phone number and at least 30 rickshaw pullers are available round-the-clock. Every puller owns a cellphone. Around 65 per cent of the pullers own their rickshaws. Ecocab provides each puller an insurance policy worth Rs 50,000. A set of woollens every winter and medical checkup and medicines are also offered at discounted prices. They also get legal aid and support for children’s schooling.

Amritsar has adopted Fazilka’s Ecocab model. In Patiala, a non-profit has started a similar service called Green Cabs

Fazilka’s community is reaping the benefits of the service. The Ecocab saves as much as 1,500 litres of fuel every day for the city. It has made travel safer. Resident Asha Kumari says, “Initially it used to be a long walk before I could get a rickshaw. Now all I have to do is pick up my phone. I also feel very safe.”
The service has helped the prime business area of Ghanta Ghar become a car-free zone. Following the services’ success, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has issued suo moto direction to both Punjab and Haryana to find ways to replicate Ecocab service in the rest of the state.

ആരോഗ്യസന്ദേശവുമായി ഡോക്ടറുടെ സൈക്കിള്‍ യാത്രകള്‍

മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജിലെ അസോസിയേറ്റ് പ്രൊഫസര്‍ ഡോ. നിലീന കോശിക്ക് രണ്ട് സൈക്കിളുണ്ട്. ഒന്ന് മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജിലും മറ്റൊന്ന് കുന്നംകുളത്തെ വീട്ടിലും. കാമ്പസിനുള്ളിലെ കറക്കത്തിനും നാട്ടിലെ ചെറു യാത്രകള്‍ക്കും ഡോക്ടറുടെ വാഹനം സൈക്കിളാണ്. പെട്രോള്‍ വില കത്തിക്കയറുമ്പോഴെങ്കിലും സൈക്കിളിനെ ഓര്‍ത്തുകൂടെ എന്നാണ് ഡോക്ടര്‍ ചോദിക്കുന്നത്.

ഓട്ടോമൊബൈല്‍ വ്യവസായരംഗത്ത് പേരെടുത്ത പോപ്പുലര്‍ പൈലേട്ടന്റെ മകളുടെ മകളായ നിലീനയ്ക്ക് കമ്പം സൈക്കിളിനോടായിരുന്നു. ചെറുപ്പത്തില്‍ ചവിട്ടാന്‍ പഠിച്ചെങ്കിലും പിന്നീട് പഠനത്തിരക്കില്‍ സൈക്കിള്‍ കൈവിട്ടുപോയി. വെല്ലൂര്‍ മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജില്‍ എം.ഡി. പഠിക്കാന്‍ ചേര്‍ന്നപ്പോഴാണ് വീണ്ടും സൈക്കിള്‍ സവാരി തുടങ്ങിയത്. വിശാലമായ കാമ്പസില്‍ അധ്യാപകരും വിദ്യാര്‍ത്ഥികളുമെല്ലാം സൈക്കിളിലാണ് സഞ്ചരിച്ചിരുന്നത്. പിന്നീട് തൃശ്ശൂര്‍ മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജില്‍ കമ്മ്യൂണിറ്റി മെഡിസിനില്‍ പ്രൊഫസറായി. 2003ലെ പഠനയാത്രയ്ക്കിടെ ഒരു ഹോട്ടലില്‍വെച്ച് കുട്ടികള്‍ ആവേശപൂര്‍വ്വം സൈക്കിള്‍ ചവിട്ടി രസിക്കുന്നതു കണ്ടപ്പോഴാണ് വീണ്ടും സൈക്കിള്‍ സവാരിക്ക് മോഹം ഉദിച്ചത്.

കുന്നംകുളത്ത് ക്ലിനിക്ക് നടത്തുന്ന ഭര്‍ത്താവ് ഡോ. കോശി ജോര്‍ജ് ഒന്നിനുപകരം രണ്ട് സൈക്കിള്‍ വാങ്ങിക്കൊടുത്തു. കുന്നംകുളത്തുനിന്ന് മെഡിക്കല്‍ കോളേജുവരെ കാറിലെത്തും. കാമ്പസിനകത്തും സമീപ പ്രദേശങ്ങളിലും തന്റെ ലേഡിബേഡ് സൈക്കിളിലാണ് സഞ്ചാരം. ആദ്യകാലത്ത് പലര്‍ക്കും പ്രൊഫസര്‍ പിള്ളാരെപ്പോലെ സൈക്കിളില്‍ ചുറ്റിനടക്കുന്നതത്ര പിടിച്ചില്ല. മറ്റു ചിലര്‍ എതിര്‍പ്പുമായി നേരിട്ടു വന്നു. എന്നാല്‍ എല്ലാറ്റിനെയും മറിടന്ന് ഡോക്ടറിന്റെ സൈക്കിള്‍ മുന്നോട്ടുപോയി.

ഇപ്പോള്‍ നിരവധി വിദ്യാര്‍ത്ഥിനികള്‍ സൈക്കിളില്‍ എത്തുന്നുണ്ട്. തട്ടമിട്ട് സൈക്കിള്‍ ചവിട്ടുന്നവര്‍വരെ കാമ്പസിലുണ്ട്. ചില പ്രൊഫസര്‍മാരും പിന്നീട് സൈക്കിള്‍ സവാരി തുടങ്ങി. പ്രായഭേദമെന്യേ എല്ലാവരും സൈക്കിള്‍ ചവിട്ടാന്‍ തുടങ്ങിയാല്‍ പുതിയൊരു ആരോഗ്യസംസ്‌കാരം രൂപപ്പെടുമെന്ന് ഡോക്ടര്‍ പറയുന്നു. ചെറുപ്പക്കാര്‍ക്കുവരെ ഷുഗറും പ്രഷറുമാണ്. അല്പദൂരംപോലും നടക്കാനോ സൈക്കിള്‍ ചവിട്ടാനോ മടിയാണ്. അതേസമയം മുറിക്കുള്ളില്‍ വ്യായാമം ചെയ്യാന്‍ സൈക്കിള്‍ ചവിട്ടും. അടച്ചിട്ട മുറിയില്‍ നീങ്ങാത്ത സൈക്കിള്‍ ചവിട്ടുന്നതിനേക്കാള്‍ എത്രയോ നല്ലതാണ് പുറത്ത് സൈക്കിളില്‍ യാത്ര ചെയ്യുന്നതെന്ന് നിലീന ചോദിക്കുന്നു.

തമിഴ്‌നാട്ടിലെ കാമ്പസുകളിലെല്ലാം സൈക്കിള്‍ സവാരി പ്രോത്സാഹിപ്പിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. പലയിടത്തും വിദ്യാര്‍ത്ഥികള്‍ക്ക് ബൈക്കും കാറും ഉപയോഗിക്കാന്‍ അനുവാദമില്ല. മകള്‍ ഷാരനെ ട്രിച്ചി എന്‍.ഐ.ടി.യില്‍ ചേര്‍ത്തപ്പോള്‍ ഹോസ്റ്റലില്‍ അവശ്യസാധനങ്ങള്‍ക്കൊപ്പം സൈക്കിളും വാങ്ങിനല്‍കിയത് ഡോക്ടര്‍ ഓര്‍മിച്ചു.

പ്രധാന നിരത്തുകളില്‍ സൈക്കിള്‍ പാതകള്‍ സൃഷ്ടിച്ചാല്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ പേര്‍ സൈക്കിള്‍ ചവിട്ടുമെന്നാണ് ഡോക്ടര്‍ നിലീനയുടെ വിശ്വാസം. സ്‌കൂളുകളിലും കോളേജുകളിലും സൈക്കിളുകള്‍ വ്യാപകമാക്കാന്‍ സര്‍ക്കാര്‍തന്നെ മുന്നിട്ടിറങ്ങണം. ഇപ്പോള്‍ സൈക്കിള്‍ വര്‍ക്‌ഷോപ്പുകള്‍ പോലും ഇല്ലാതാകുന്ന അവസ്ഥയാണ്. നിരത്തിലെ വാഹനപെരുപ്പം കാരണം സൈക്കിളോടിക്കുന്നവര്‍ കഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്ന സ്ഥിതിയുമുണ്ട്. റോഡുകളുടെ സ്ഥിതിയും നന്നാകണം.

വിവാഹം കഴിയുന്നതോടെ പലകാര്യങ്ങളിലും സ്ത്രീകള്‍ പിന്നോട്ടുപോകുന്ന കാഴ്ചയാണ്. ഇത് അവരുടെ ശാരീരികമാനസിക ആരോഗ്യത്തെ തന്നെ തകര്‍ക്കുമെന്നു പറയുന്ന ഡോ. നിലീന ഇപ്പോള്‍ നൃത്തവും അഭ്യസിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. നാല്പത്തിയാറാം വയസ്സില്‍ നൃത്തം പഠിക്കുന്നതിനു പിന്നില്‍ ഭര്‍ത്താവ് ഡോ. കോശി ജോര്‍ജിന്റെ പിന്തുണയാണ്.

A BIKE MOVEMENT FOR A GREEN EARTH

Go Green

ICONIC INSTITUTIONS in Bengaluru, including the Indian Institute of Science and Bangalore University, have joined a community-driven bicycle sharing initiative to bring cycles back to the city. The Namma Cycle movement initiated by Ride-A-Cycle Foundation targets educational institutes and recreational sites.

Some eight bicycle stations have been set up within the 160 hectare-campus of the Indian Institute of Science. About 75 per cent students in the Bangalore University campus walk. Survey by the foundation shows that 85 per cent of the 75 per cent are willing to cycle if bicycles are made available. Under the initiative, a bicycle can be taken out for a maximum of 10 to 12 hours.

Students can pay a nominal pre-paid charge and use a cycle for a maximum of 12 hours

Students can register with an online system, get an ID card and pay a nominal pre-paid charge to use the service. A node manager will rent out the bicycle and record the rental transactions. After use, the bike can be dropped off at any station. All cycles are insured. The first three hours are free for subscribers; for casual users, 30 minutes are free of cost. Soon students will have the aid of a map, which will display stations within the campus. Namma Cycle is mobilising the corporate world to fund cycles and cycle stands. Bharti Cement Ltd and BSNL have come forward in support. Murali H R of Ride-A-Cycle Foundation has called for stronger government participation to scale up the movement.

Rickshaw services to go hi-tech

 The scheme aims at providing a safer and efficient last mile connectivity to passengers. Moreover, it also benefits the auto drivers with provision of facilities like uniform, insurance and accident policies, all free of cost.
It may be noted that though the registration process may have begun for the auto drivers, the service would be opened to the public over the next month.
So, consider this. Once the plan rolls out, an auto rickshaw arriving at your doorstep would just be a phone call or an SMS away. The journey would be made more comfortable with facilities like newspapers and water bottles on the way. What's more, one would pay just by the meter and avoid all chances of over-charging.
Under this scientific management of auto rickshaws', the movement of each auto will be monitored by a control room and there will be very little scope of overcharging by drivers. The driver will also be given a cell phone. A passenger's call to the control room, will be directed to the auto closest to that address. This practice will reduce unnecessary plying of autos on roads, thus saving fuel and reducing traffic congestion.
"Effective implementation of this scheme will bring down the pressure on private transport in the city and make available efficient para-transit public transport," said Ramchandran.
Niteen Kareer, divisional commissioner and president of RTA, said, "The scheme is being implemented in association with Delhi-based private firm Indevelop. Pune is the first city where it will be implemented. In the process, all illegal permits and flaws will be removed, as every auto will have separate a registration under the GPS and GIS systems."
"All auto drivers enrolling for the scheme will get a uniform, insurance policy for the entire family and also an accident policy. There will also be regular health check-ups for the drivers. However, the scheme is being run on a voluntary basis," he said.
"Over 2,000 auto drivers have already registered for the scheme, in the initial stage. A dedicated control room for the process will be opened soon," said member RTA Baba Shinde.
Commissioner of police Satyapal Singh said that more than 30 per cent of the auto rickshaws in the city are illegal. Moreover, only 30 per cent of the drivers charge fares according to the metre. This scheme will help bring down such malpractices, as well as related criminal activities.

Hi-tech plan: biometric IDs for rickshaws

The friendly neighbourhood green transport on three wheels is set to get a boost, if the Delhi government’s plans are implemented.
In a reprieve of sorts for rickshawpullers, who face restriction of movement in various localities of the city, the government is thinking of regularising them by issuing biometric badges after training them in traffic rules. Meera Bhatia, standing counsel for the government, put the proposal containing minutes of a meeting between the Lieutenant-Governor and the Commissioners of Delhi Police and the MCD before the High Court recently.
“Every rickshawpuller is to be issued a biometric badge. The traffic police will be provided with hand-held biometric badge readers to check the authenticity of the rickshaw puller,” said the proposal, placed before a Special Bench comprising Chief Justice Ajit Prakash Shah and Justices S Muralidhar and Ravinder Bhatt.
The traffic police can regularly check the number and authorisation of rickshawpullers if the biometric badges are introduced.

Steps for bringing down Road Accidents in India (4)

• Strict enforcement of health of vehicles.
• Periodic eye testing of old aged driving license holders.
• Immediate cancellation of license of drunkard drivers / riders.
• Setting up of Judicial Commissions to monitor steps taken to control road accidents.
• Straightening / Widening of roads, Implementation of one way traffic and construction of medians.
• Footpaths and medians should be made mandatory for important roads.
• Zebra crossings should be provided for pedestrians for safe road crossings at appropriate places.
• Signals for road crossings at important busy places where a large number of people have to cross the road everyday.
• Proper marking of roads and signals.
• Humps should be provided at all important places, accident prone areas.
• Construction, size and shape of the Humps be scientific. All the Contractors of the Public Works / Other departments should be provided with the details of scientific Hump construction.
• Humps should be clearly marked, to avoid accidents. Methods of permanent nature should be followed in Hump marking. For example white marble pieces / white color / fluorescent pigment can be included in the mixture ( if scientifically OK).
• Provision of small pilot humps few meters before humps can also be considered to ensure that humps are not left unnoticed.
• Elimination of obstructions on road sides, caused by unauthorised construction / road side sales.
• Increasing visibility near curvatures. Sometimes even cutting of grass to increase visibility can help save many lives.
• A small pool of water or a hanging branch of tree on roadsides can cause accident, as such obstructions will make the pedestrians / drivers to take sudden LATERAL movement and result in accidents. Hence any obstruction on road sides which can cause a LATERAL movement should be completely rectified timely.
• Periodic review of accident statistics to understand the effect of actions taken. Corrective steps should be taken based on these reviews. 

The above list of suggestions is not exhaustive. Experts in the field will be able to supplement with more valuable suggestions. If you have some suggestions, comment here or 
mailto: sarathi.drivers4@gmail.com

Steps for bringing down Road Accidents in India (3)

• Refreshment parlors should be made available at (say) every 50 / 100 k.m. on all national highways and truck / heavy vehicle drivers should be forced to refresh by having a face wash or by having a cup of tea / coffee.
• The current practice of keeping the traffic signals in standby mode during nights and on holidays is to be reviewed and discontinued if found prudent.
• Advertisement boards and other items that may obstruct visibility at junctions, curvatures and other parts of the roads should be removed immediately.
• Ensure that the money recovered as Road Tax is fully utilised for the construction /maintenance of roads.
• Time Punching of Private buses (practiced in some states) should be discontinued as it is forcing the drivers to go at high speed, after traffic blocks.
• TV and other media should be effectively used for Public safety awareness.
• Scientific analysis of major accidents / accident prone areas.
• Restriction of speed at accident prone areas.
• Enactment of stringent traffic rules.
• Immediate suspension of license of those who are involved the accidents, at least until they prove that they are not guilty.
• Cancellation of license of those who make serious accidents.
• Proper maintenance of roads. Permanent contracts / arrangements should be in place for maintaining all roads in good condition 24 hours a day, 365 days an year. If a gutter is repaired in time it can save a life !!!

Steps for bringing down Road Accidents in India (2)

• Raising of lower age limit for two wheeler and Heavy Vehicle license to 21.
• Helmet should be made compulsory by law in all states, OR impose a lower speed limit for those who do not use helmet.
• Helmet should be made compulsory for back seat riders also
• Ensure that all Helmet users are fixing the Chinstrap of Helmet.Otherwise it will not help during an accident.
•  Ensure that ONLY good quality Helmets are available in the market.
• Strict enforcement of existing traffic rules.
• Law should be modified such that the person who made the accident has to bear (say) 0 to 10 % of the insurance claims, depending on severity of negligence. Also the compensations should be made very huge, making accidents unaffordable so that everyone will be very vigilant.
• All those who do not maintain the safe distance for the speed should be punished. 
• Safety awareness should begin from childhood, as it is difficult to impart awareness to a grown up a human. If safety awareness is imparted at childhood, safety will be a habit.
• Video / Computer Games that simulate Racing should be banned by Government OR discouraged by parents as it will develop racing habit in children.
• All sorts of Motor sports especially racing should be banned in India by government. Telecast of Motor Sports and Racing also should be banned.
• Racing and over speed / highly risky riding, driving by Heroes should not be filmed in cinemas and TV serials. Government should censor such scenes.
• Children below a certain age should not be permitted to do cycling in busy roads / roads where heavy vehicles are plying.

Steps for bringing down Road Accidents in India.

Some of the following suggestions may be irrelevant, obsolete or even ridiculous, but it is sure that most of the suggestions are capable of saving thousands of lives.

• Most important method to bring down accidents is strict enforcement of speed limits. 90 % of accidents can be avoided by strict enforcement of speed limits.

• Penalty of ( say ) minimum Rs. 1000 should be imposed on ALL
those who cross speed limits. If this is strictly implemented,
nobody will dare to go at high speed.

• Existing speed limits should be brought down further.

• Heavy penalty for those who cause accidents.

• Tamper proof speed controllers should be made mandatory for all
heavy vehicles. New heavy vehicles should have built in tamper proof speed controllers.

• Two wheeler manufacturers should be asked to design two wheelers with a designed maximum speed of (say) 50/60 kmph.

• New gadgets are to be developed for collision prevention and should be fitted on all vehicle. DRDO and other research organizations should be asked to develop such gadgets on a war
footing. For example, gadgets can be developed to automatically slow down the vehicle, if safe distance commensurate with the speed of the vehicle in front is not maintained.

• Diving tests for issue of Driving license is to be made more stringent and foolproof.

Give Happiness !

Decade of Action for Road Safety by WHO (4)

Conclusions and recommendations
Since the previous report to the General Assembly on road safety, many activities have been undertaken locally, nationally, regionally and internationally.
The Decade of Action for Road Safety, launched on 11 May 2011, is a unique opportunity for continued international focus on road safety and the need for increasing focus in setting targets, developing plans of action and implementing activities and monitoring.Much more needs to be done as evidenced by the Global status report on road safety, and levels of funding remain a major challenge, particularly for low- to middle-income countries to implement, sustain and scale up measures that can lead to reduced fatalities and injuries.
Road safety continues to be an area that is not addressed systematically. Lack of national lead agencies, comprehensive and effective legislation, and inadequate road infrastructure are also major challenges that need to be addressed systematically in order to achieve meaningful results. Lack of data and local capacity for monitoring and evaluating road safety projects remains a
challenge, and more needs to be done to strengthen efforts to collect appropriate data for analysis and decision-making on road safety, including the health, social and economic impact, and cost-effectiveness of interventions.
To support actions on the ground during the Decade, more funds will be
needed for United Nations activities and activities in Governments, subnational
authorities and civil societies.

Decade of Action for Road Safety by WHO (3)

                                  The road safety tag was developed as the key visual identity for the Decade and is intended to unite efforts which take place in the context of the Decade. The aim is to encourage groups marking the Decade to “wear, believe, act” by wearing the tag and displaying it on advocacy materials for Decade-related events, reflecting on the impact of road traffic crashes and the possibilities for prevention, and taking action to ensure greater safety on the roads.

Decade of Action for Road Safety by WHO (2)

Launch of the Decade of Action for Road Safety

 

The Decade is a historic opportunity to offer Member States and their partners a framework for action which could ultimately save millions of lives. The vision is a world in which mobility is safe for all those who use the world’s roads. The alternative is grim: if no action is taken to address the current crisis, road traffic fatalities are forecast to rise from the current level of nearly 1.3 million deaths annually to more than 1.9 million by 2020. The goal of the Decade is to stabilize and then reduce the predicted number of lives that could be lost. WHO and the United Nations regional commissions, in cooperation with other partners in the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration and other stakeholders have developed a Global Plan for the Decade of Action for Road Safety 2011-2020 through an extensive consultation process including 
face-to-face discussions with the major stakeholders and public comment through the Internet. 

The Plan provides an overall framework for activities which could be implemented in countries over the Decade. 
Five major categories or “pillars” of activities are proposed: 

1. road safety management;  
2. safer roads and mobility;   
3. safer vehicles;  
4. safer road users; and 
5. postcrash response. 

The Plan also proposes indicators to measure progress in each of
these areas. Governments, international agencies, civil society organizations, the private sector and other stakeholders are invited to use the Plan as a guiding document for the events and activities they will support as part of the Decade.

Decade of Action for Road Safety by WHO (1)

Road Safety

Improving global road safety

Note by the Secretary-General
The Secretary-General transmits the report on improving global road safety, prepared by the World Health Organization in consultation with the United Nations regional commissions and other partners of the United Nations Road Safety Collaboration.

Introduction

1. Nearly 1.3 million people in the world die each year of road crashes, 

90 percent of them in low- and middle-income countries. 

Another 20 to 50 million people suffer serious injuries. 

Road traffic injuries are also the leading cause of death for people from 10 to 24 years of age. 

Significant numbers of road traffic fatalities and injuries can be prevented by addressing the leading causes, which include 

excess speed, 

• lack of seat-belt and 
• child restraint use, 
• drinking and driving, 
• lack of helmet use by riders on two-wheel and three-wheel motorized vehicles, 
• poorly designed and inadequately maintained roads, 
• unsafe infrastructure and vehicles, and 
• inadequate trauma care.

2. On World Health Day in 2004, the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank jointly launched the World report on road traffic injury prevention, stressing the importance of road traffic injury prevention and making several recommendations on how countries can address the problem.

Easter Greetings !

Easter Greetings

10 facts on global road safety by WHO

Road Safety

1. A global problem

Over 90% of the deaths on the roads occur in low-income and middle-income countries, which have only 48% of the world’s registered vehicles.

2. High proportion of vulnerable road users

Pedestrians, cyclists, and riders of motorized two-wheelers and their passengers (who are collectively known as "vulnerable road users") account for around 46% of global road traffic deaths. This proportion is greater in low-income countries than in high-income countries. 

3. Speed

Controlling speed is an important way of reducing road traffic injuries, particularly among pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists. Less than one-third of countries have taken necessary measures - for example low-speed zones - to reduce speed in urban areas. 

4. Drinking and driving

Drinking and driving increases the risk of a crash, which could result in death or serious injury. WHO recommends a blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.05 gram per decilitre (g/dl) for adult drivers. Less than half of countries worldwide have drink–driving laws set at this limit. 

5. Helmet use

Wearing a good-quality helmet can reduce the risk of death from a road crash by almost 40% and the risk of severe injury by over 70%. Only 40% of countries have motorcycle helmet laws that cover both riders and passengers, and mandate quality standards for helmets.

6. Seat-belt use

Wearing a seat-belt reduces the risk of death among front-seat passengers by 40-65% and can reduce deaths among rear-seat car occupants by 25-75%. Only 57% of countries require seat-belts to be used in cars by both front-seat and rear-seat passengers.

7. Child restraint use

The use of child restraints (infant seats, child seats and booster seats) can reduce deaths of children by between 54% and 80% in the event of a crash. Less than half of all countries have laws requiring the use of child restraints in vehicles.

8. Pre-hospital care

Prompt, good-quality pre-hospital care can save many people injured in road traffic crashes. About 76% of countries have pre-hospital care systems, ranging from those with highly qualified staff to those that rely on bystanders. Around the world there are about 90 different pre-hospital care access telephone numbers that need to be harmonized into one global number or a few regional numbers. 

9. The potential for progress

Road traffic injuries can be prevented. A number of countries, mainly high-income countries, have made significant progress over the last few decades in reducing their road traffic death rates. But more can be done to reduce these rates further.

10. Now is the time to act

Road traffic injuries are predicted to become the fifth leading cause of death by 2030, resulting in 2.4 million deaths a year. This projected ranking would be the result of an increase in road traffic deaths and reductions in deaths due to other health conditions.

Ref: http://www.who.int/

Honesty pays: Ten Honest Auto Drivers Honored

Auto drivers honored

Honesty pays. That’s what 10 auto drivers realized on Thursday while they were honored at a function organized at Town Hall. The function was organized jointly by TVS Motors and Namma Motors,
Dealer Principal, to felicitate honest auto drivers of Bangalore.

Transport Minster R Ashoka lauded the drivers for safely returning belongings of commuters such as cash worth Rs  2 to 8 lakhs, Jewellery ornaments, laptops and other valuable goods, that were left behind in their vehicles. He also took the opportunity to advice them not to refuse to take the commuters to their destination.
Commuters are god, who make your lively hood, help the commuters when thy are in need of your assistance.
The Minister also observed that many auto drivers had rescued people injured in accidents, while the four wheelers showed no concern as they feared complications.   

Addressing the gathering Mr. Prem Kamath, Dealer Principal  Namma Motors said  this event is organized to send a message to the other drivers to come forward and help the public when they are in need of such assistance. 

Auto people are the only people who are left backward, there is no proper guidance, as majority of them  come from different background with no proper training and facilities, he said and thanked the government for setting up a training centre at Yelahanka. He also presented a relief fund to family of auto driver Srinivas who died recently. 

Auto drivers’ day out

                          Life of an auto driver is very hectic and there is hardly anytime left to take a break amidst their busy schedule. For some auto drivers, life starts as early 5 am and goes up to mid-night. Not to mention the plight of those who operate throughout night to make ends meet.

In order to give these auto drivers a break from their mundane routine, Hello FM 106.4, in association with TVS Tyres organized an evening of fun and frolic, not just for the auto drivers but also for the entire family in Tirunelveli on June 12, 2011.

It all started with a road show in and around Tirunelveli resulting in an overwhelming 900 registrations. On the day of the event, They decorated MDT school, the venue of the activity, and five counters were put up for free check-up of participants’ autos. A 15 member strong medical team was also pressed into service for free eye and medical check-up of auto drivers.

For more than 800 auto drivers and their family, the day ended with fun-filled evening wherein temporary tattoo for kids, Mehandi application, slogan contest, fun-filled games, dance performance by local dance troupe, musical orchestra entertained one and all.

Join Earth Hour 2012

Join in Earth hour With Sarathi: http://www.facebook.com/driversarathi 

Where Earth Hour began

Earth Hour was launched in Sydney, Australia in 2007, where 2.2 million individuals and more than 2,000 businesses turned their lights off for one hour. Just a year later, Earth Hour reached 370 cities and towns in more than 35 countries across 18 time zones, and the campaign shifted from a ‘Sydney Event’ to a ‘Global Sustainability Movement’. Since then, every year Earth Hour sets new standards and breaks its own records on mass participation and support. 2010 received participation from a record 1.3 billion individuals across 4616 cities in 128 countries globally. Notable landmarks like Acropolis in Greece, Eiffel Tower in Paris, Hiroshima Peace Gardens in Japan, and Pyramids in Egypt switched off in support.
2011 was a memorable year in the history of the campaign, as it marked a new phase, with supporters going beyond the hour by committing to sustainable action all year round. A record 1.8 billion individuals across more than 5200 cities in 135 countries participated by switching off lights, and pledging to imbibe environment friendly practices into everyday life to benefit the planet.

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Why get involved?

Earth Hour is a unique opportunity for individuals, groups, businesses and governments to do something positive for the environment. It is not just about saving energy for that one hour, but it symbolizes the first step in the direction of adopting environment friendly activities into everyday life, which will lead the way towards a cleaner environment and sustainable lifestyle. 
Official website: http://www.earthhour.in