Mumbai: The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024: “Samvedana ka Safar”, spearheaded by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) under the leadership of Minister Nitin Gadkari, culminated in a 4-hour telethon. The aim was to create awareness about the road safety landscape. Partnering with the SaveLIFE Foundation (SLF), a non-profit organisation in India dedicated to improving road safety and emergency medical care in India since 2008, the initiative emphasised ‘empathy’ as its core theme. It urged responsible behaviour and respect for life on the roads.
The Minister shared his personal experience, highlighting the critical need for change. Gadkari stated, “In our country, around 500,000 accidents occur every year and in 2022 the loss of lives stood at 168,000 with 450,000 people getting injured. While we continue to improve road and vehicular engineering, this campaign aims to foster collaboration and empathy among road users to drive behaviour change.”
Piyush Tewari, Founder and CEO of SaveLIFE Foundation, emphasised the impact of the campaign, saying, “Road crashes pose a significant public health challenge in India. Effectively conveying the safety message to the public, fostering empathy, and promoting a profound respect for life is essential. The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan stands out as a pioneering initiative in this crucial endeavor, and SaveLIFE Foundation is proud to lend support for the cause.”
The Telethon featured personalities, including Gadkari and Bollywood actori Amitabh Bachchan. Actors Pankaj Tripathi and R Madhavan were also a part of the campaign along with singer and composer Shankar Mahadevan; Chairperson of the Central Board of Film Certification, Prasoon Joshi; and Author and Philanthropist Sudha Murty. The Sadak Suraksha Anthem was launched by Mahadevan, with lyrics by Joshi. The campaign’s foundational pillars were – Respect, Patience, Safety, and Collaboration.
Bachchan stressed the need for collective action, stating, “Every day, 460 Indians lose their lives in road accidents, which amounted to a staggering 19 deaths every hour. As a nation, we need to work together to prevent these accidents, just like we fought the Covid-19 pandemic.”
Avinash Kaul, CEO – Network 18 (Broadcast) and MD A+E Networks, emphasised, “The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024 has revealed significant findings regarding road safety. As a nation, we must work together to prevent road accidents and work towards creating a culture of responsibility and safety.”
The telethon also served as a significant platform for accident victims to share their personal experiences, thereby humanising the statistics and highlighting the need for urgent action.
Puneet Singhvi, CEO (Digital) and President – Corporate Strategy-Network 18, stated, “The Sadak Suraksha Abhiyan 2024: “Samvedana ka Safar” initiative is a commendable and collaborative effort to promote road safety in India. As the 2024 edition concludes, let us make a commitment to make responsible choices, embrace empathy and compassion, and ensure safer roads.”
The Telethon also brought to light the Supreme Court’s resolute stance on mandatory emergency care at hospitals and stressed the importance of integrating road safety education into school curriculums.While the “Samvedana ka Safar” journey concludes, its impact will continue to resonate in the ongoing endeavors to make Indian roads safer for all. The multifaceted discussions and the powerful anthem pave the way for a safer and more compassionate India on the road.
Watch the telethon on YouTube:
