Pune: In Indian cities there are 80% two wheeler riders, bicycle riders and pedestrian who die in accidents. The rate of two wheeler accidents is higher by 5-7% as compared to cars. It is necessary to spread awareness about the use of helmets as deaths by not using a helmet are on the higher side.
Sahyadri Hospitals, Regional Transport Office of Pune and Traffic Police have jointly come up with an initiative to spread the use of helmets from 14th to 19th August on RTO grounds. The main man behind this initiative is well-known cartoonist Mr. Mangesh Tendulkar. Chairman and Managing director of Sahyadri Hospitals Mr.Charudutt Apte, Director Sahyadri Hospitals Mr. Prakash Tupule, Regional Transport officer Jitendra Patil, Deputy Commissioner of Police Traffic branch Sanjay Avad graced the occasion. The initiative successfully commenced today on RTO grounds in Pune. The same will take place on 17th August at RTO Alandi Road and on 19th August at RTO Pimpri-Chinchwad.
Speaking on this occasion, Regional Transport Officer, Mr.Jitendra Patil said, ‘In our country 75% accidents happen of two wheeler riders out of which 62% deaths happened as they were not using helmets. These lives would have been saved if helmets were used. The driver is solely responsible for 70% of accidents, and only the driver’s mindset can bring a change. The reason behind people not using helmet is because they have a lot of misunderstandings on the use of helmet.’
With the permission of Regional Transport Office, ‘RC and DL system’ and ‘Real Tracking’ are the two new internet mobile applications developed by Mr.Anant Shinde for the public which are free of cost. With the help of these applications one can access all the information about the RC Book and Permit through a barcode and by which people can save their time by not visiting the RTO for this particular work.
Since 1989 till today, senior cartoonist Mangesh Tendulkar has single handedly promoted the use of helmets. He always tries to promote the use of helmets by the means of cartoons, free gift cards, or by speaking about the benefits of helmets in colleges or social organizations. Speaking about the structure of helmet, Tendulkar said, ‘There should not be any kind of compulsion on the use of helmet, people should themselves understand the importance of helmet and start using one. These all helmets should carry an ISO mark. It is necessary to make changes in the internal structure of helmet and make it more users friendly.
Deputy Commissioner of police Traffic branch Sarang Avhad said, ‘Last year in 2014 there were 108 cases of two wheeler accidents in which 214 people died. The fact is out of 214 deaths occurred in two wheeler accidents, 213 were not wearing a helmet. Looking at these facts people should get aware and start using helmets.’
Speaking about the initiative, Director of Sahyadri Hospitals Mr. Prakash Tulpule marked that Sahyadri Hospitals has always been a front runner in undertaking social initiatives. The hospital being a brainchild of renowned Neurosurgeon, Dr. Charudutt Apte, it was his philosophy to make Quality Healthcare Available, Accessible & Accountable to all and not restrict as a privilege of the few. Initiatives like affordable health scheme for Senior citizens, making Rajeev Gandhi Jeevandayi Yojana available at our hospital & supporting NGOs like Samavedana working for health for the poor, are few initiatives to underline the work in social sector.
A lot of health related problems are found due to use of helmets. Speaking on this, Dr. Charudutt Apte said, ‘The commonly cited health reasons for not wearing a helmet are nothing but myths and excuses. There are many accident cases with which we deal on a daily basis and in most of these cases patients suffer from head injuries. Our life is very precious and I strongly advocate the use of helmets as they can save lives.’
Anchoring was done by Mr.Anil Patil and thanks’s giving was done by Mr.Yogesh Bag.