Pune cops and NGO Margdarshak felicitated riders wearing helmets to raise awareness and promote road safety.
An estimated 16,000 two-wheeler riders in the city were anointed with the title of ‘Roadstar’ and given ‘Thank you’ stickers for wearing helmets in the city on Monday.
A unique initiative of non-governmental organisation Margdarshak, backed by the Rotary Club and the Pune police, the initiative saw helmeted riders being given the stickers at various crossroads and chowks across the city.
The sticker has the words: “You’re a Roadstar! Thank-you for wearing a helmet. You’re protecting yourself, your family and keeping Pune roads safe!’’
The event was flagged off by deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vishwas Pandhare at the University of Pune Chowk at 9am. The stickers were distributed at prominent traffic junctions at the University of Pune, Bund Garden, Golibar Maidan, Nal Stop, Karve Road and Balgandharva Rangamandir.
The stickers were distributed by a team of volunteers from the Rotary Club, IT major Persistent Systems, traffic police officials and school students from Anglo Urdu Boys High School, Satav High School (Wagholi) and the Anjuman Islam High School. The volunteers displayed banners with road safety tips and shook hands with the helmeted riders before presenting them with the stickers.
Ajay Aggarwal, founder of Margdarshak told DNA, “The objective of the drive was to encourage people to wear helmets.’’ DCP Pandhare said, “It is an innovate idea and very different. Usually the traffic police only penalise offenders. Today, we were appreciating riders for following norms. This will raise awareness for the use of helmets.’’
Volunteers Rohan Thete, 25, and Vikas Gadakh, 24, from Persistent Systems said, “We are happy to be part of the awareness campaign. We have been taking part in this for the last two years. It is time well spent for a cause.’’
Rupesh Kambale, 32, one of the helmeted riders, who proudly flaunted the sticker said, “I am happy to be awarded on two occasions. I have been regularly using helmets for the past 5 years.’’
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