Madat, a group comprising students, techies celebrates New Year by urging party-goers not to drink and drive
As Team dna took rounds of main areas like Koregaon Park, Mundhwa and Chandani Chowk in the city where most December 31 night parties are organised, we saw some youths standing at Chandani Chowk, holding placards and banners in their hands and requesting party goers not to drink and drive and have safe New Year celebration.
When we went up to them and inquired, they said they are members of a group called ‘Madat’, which was formed a month ago by 30 to 35 students and working professionals using their pocket money and income, who wanted to do something for society.
The founder of the group, Akbar Shaikh, who too was holding up a banner urging people to abstain from drinking and driving, said that in the first week of December, they formed a group to help needy ones in society and inculcate the sense of giving in young students and working professionals.
“As we wanted to do something, we decided to start a group called Madat and registered it as a brand with authorities. With the help of the little pocket money and earnings that we have, we started visiting orphanages and old age homes,” said Shaikh, who has a small business.
The group celebrated Christmas with some orphanages and old age homes and distributed sweets, toys and garments.
Since they wanted to celebrate New Year in a different way, they chose not to go and party at any hotel or pub, but create awareness among the youth about not drinking and driving.
Abhijit Pawar, a first year student from a city-based engineering college, said they met deputy commissioner of police (traffic) Vishwas Pandhare and expressed their wish.
“We divided ourselves into groups and chose areas like Koregaon Park, Chandani Chowk, MG Road, JM Road and Kothrud where most parties happen. Our volunteers are requesting people not to drink and drive,” he said.
Vishal Sarda, a website developer, said their work will not stop as they are going to widen the group and in future look forward to doing some constructive work.
“We have opened a Facebook account and through it, students and professionals are expressing their wish to work with us,” he said.
Pandhare told dna that the group has helped the traffic police to create awareness against drinking and driving and rash driving.
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