Victims speak up on the World Day of Remembrance: Silent March organised by Parisar

Parisar, in collaboration with United Way Mumbai and the Transport Department of Maharashtra State, organized a poignant event in Mumbai to mark the World Day of Remembrance 2023, observed globally on the third Sunday of November. The event aimed to raise awareness about road safety issues and commemorate those who lost their lives in road accidents.

   

Program Highlights:

  1. Silent March: A silent march commenced from Maa Saheb Meenatai Thackarey garden to RTO Tardeo, drawing attention to road safety concerns. Approximately 80 participants, including National Service Scheme (NSS) students, marched, led by Additional Transport Commissioner, Mr. Jitendra Patil, and RTO officials.
  2. Tribute for Road Crash Victims: Heartfelt tributes were paid in memory of individuals who lost their lives in road accidents.
  3. Shared Victim Experiences: Family members of road crash victims spoke passionately about the profound impact of road accidents on personal, family, social, and financial aspects of life.
    Mr. Satyawan Sonawane shared his painful experience of losing his sister and nephew due to faulty road design, emphasizing the need for collaborative efforts to reduce crash fatalities.
    Mrs. Alka Gaikwad, who lost her son due to non-compliance with helmet regulations, pleaded with enforcement agencies to strictly enforce helmet rules to prevent further tragedies.
  4. Good Samaritan Experience Sharing: Dr. Pradeep Chilka (BVG ambulance), Mr. Munna Pande (Vice President of Mumbai Rickshaw Union), and Mr. Rupesh Jagtap (Good Samaritan) were honored for their significant contributions to road safety.
  5. Chief Guest: Mr. Jitendra Patil, the Chief Guest and Head of the State Road Safety Cell, emphasized the legal responsibility of every bike buyer in Maharashtra to acquire a helmet during the purchase.
   

At the event's conclusion, road crash victims presented a charter of demands to Mr. Patil, urging concerned departments to prioritize risk factors such as speeding, seat-belt usage, helmet adherence, and drunk driving. The collective goal was to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users and reduce the incidence of road traffic deaths.

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