Ongoing Road Safety Initiatives

1. With the momentum of road safety activities building, the Brahma Kumaris representatives were invited to participate in a meeting with officials from the Government of India, looking into measures to develop a better transport strategy for the country. The National Transport Development Policy Committee (NTDPC) has been set up by the Government of India with the main objective of developing a long term National Transport Policy (with a 2030 horizon) that facilitates overall growth and efficiency in the economy while minimizing energy use and effect on climate change. This committee is organizing meetings with various stakeholders in different regions of the country – Eastern and Western regions have been completed.

In the Western chapter of the meeting held on 5th February 2013, we received an invitation to present our activities in the field of road safety. The presentation was made before a panel of high profile government officials including Principal Sec. Transport, Transport Commissioner, Jt. Transport Commissioner, DRTO’s from Govt. of Maharashtra, Member Secretary – NTDPC, Ex-Chairman Railway Board, Former D. G. – Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, Chief of Town Planning – MMRDA amongst other stakeholders. The presentation was well received and appreciated by many. We have to send in our memorandum to the committee for further consideration.

2. Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) has about 55 LPG plants and loading bases in India, where trucks are plying for distribution of LPG cylinders as well as bulk LPG. They have invited the Brahma Kumaris to organize workshops to improve the behavioral aspects of their truck tank crew, to ensure safe driving in the interest of their personal safety as well as the safety of the public. A special module comprising three sessions – Safety through Spirituality, Traffic Control of the Mind and Healing Habits has been developed for this purpose. It has been appreciated by the organizers. Training programs have been completed at Pune, Mumbai, Nasik, Indore, Vishakhapatnam and Yeleshwaram, while programs for other locations are also scheduled.

3. In Mauritius, the Road Safety initiative of the Brahma Kumaris has been piloted among the BK students and a few private companies. It is being received very well. A meeting with all the stakeholders in Mauritius is now being planned for February 14, 2013. The Special Advisor to the Prime Minister on road safety has accepted to grace the meeting with his presence.