Mangalore: School Children Put at Risk by Overcrowded Autos
Brijesh Garodi Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Jul 9: Everybody wants to make money, whether by honest means or crooked ways. Nothing wrong in the former, but when it is done by putting other people, especially children's lives at risk, then the matter definitely needs attention and intervention.
Before proceeding, there's another aspect to dwell on - the busy lifestyle of parents that makes them often negligent or oblivious to the risks their children are put in every day, twice a day. It is the harsh reality of today's society that parents seldom have time to ensure their children's safety and well-being.
Put these two aspects together, and what we have is the daily scenario right in front of us - a concern that most of us choose to turn away our eyes from. When we see scores of children bundled into little autos, we look at them with amusement and smiles at their cuteness, but seldom are we shocked at the precarious ways they hang on precious life.
The way children reach their schools is an adventure in itself for them. Balancing on sidebars, hanging on to each other, sitting on the corner of the driver's seat, sitting on laps, or just standing all the way - the kids do not realize the danger they are put in, especially on roads that are anything but smooth. Most of the autos do not even have protective bars, thus increasing their risk many times over.
Most parents of middle class rung of the society cannot afford to send their children to schools in private or separate vehicles, and many fear to trust them to public transport like buses. When such is the case, they are forced to put the safety of their children's lives in the hands of auto rickshaw drivers, who in their turn are too happy to stuff in as many kids as possible in as little space.
It is quite an irony that during day time if one were to hire an auto, the driver does not allow more than four people at a time (five if you negotiate really well with extra fare), but the same driver stuffs in 10-15 children in the same auto in the mornings and evenings!
The danger posed by these autos struck me recently when recently, at Valencia, the driver of an auto rickshaw brimming with school children applied brakes suddenly, throwing a child right out of the auto! Luckily there were no vehicles nearby, and the child escape with minor injuries. It is quite horrific to imagine the serious implications the incident may have had.
Ultimately, who is to be blamed? The auto driver who wants to earn more, the parents who have little choice, or the system itself which allows it? In the blame game, it is the young life that is at risk.
The authorities are not bothered about the issue. On the other hand, they say what can one do if parents do not mind. It is a vicious circle, indeed, where the discomfort of the child has no priority.
In comparison, bigger vehicles like Omni, tempos and school buses are far safer, but are not sufficient in numbers for the large student population.
As is the usual case, perhaps the administration needs a major incident to wake up from its slumber. We don’t understand the sense behind 'Prevention is better than cure'.
Need of the hour is strong action against such overstuffing of children in autos, and awareness among parents and auto drivers, and perhaps schools too which should be encouraged to arrange their own transport for their children and make it mandatory at a nominal fee.
School authorities regularly stand near school gate observe & warn the Students as well as Auto drivers.If they listen then Auto number must note & inform the police.
Very good pictures by Brijesh Garodi. DAIJIWORLD MEDIA has the best of photographers as well as reporters which keep in touch with the world. I know this is a growing issue as these rickshaw and mini bus drivers are carrying school kids beyond their limit at the risk of the school children. The government should solve the problem and do something before some tragic accident happen.
Mr.Shekar Moilly, I have met Past RTO,present RTO,Asst RTO police personnel, Head of the particular school and finally I have told almighty God and none of them ever listen. Please note following exciting events of every day: 1. How about little children traveling in Ambulance which carries infested sick people. Contacted past RTO plus A Doctor of Hospital of which the Ambulance belongs to. Past RTO said that He will look into it, and He still looking. If there was money,He would have found it. Doctor cross questioned me if my Children are in it and hung up. More Sick Children means more money in His pocket. 2. Ever seen little Child sitting on the lap of Rickshaw driver and Omni driver with hands on steering wheel. 3. Did any one ever seen a child sitting on driver's seat with hands on steering, blowing horn while Omni driver unloads Children through side door of van on a incline of the hill. Just think what tragedy it will be if that Child shifts the gear and the vehicle will roll at least 50 feet down the hill. 4. Another good one to watch while 12 little Children get down from one Rickshaw. They all are so friendly that not only they sit on each others lap plus on shoulder too. 5. Have seen little boys standing on foot board of traveling School Bus practicing to be Bus Conductors when graduated. Driver acts like He did not see or can't see. 6. Stand in Yeyyadi and watch Omni drivers speeding between Mount Carmel to City,passing other vehicles on the left and right where ever they find some gap. 7. It is such a fun to watch 2 School Buses trying to win the race to destination. Now all who reads this Article about safety of Children think if the child reaches home or not.
this is true but the truth is not every parent can afford a private vehicle and school buses dont come close to the residences and though the drivers take the kids they try to ensure the safety as far as possible that is my personal opinion because my children rickshaw driver is such a person and i have been sending them with him since they were small and i trust him . though there might be some cases like mentioned above which are sad and unfortunate.But you cannot blame everyone they too have to budget their expenses to make it affordable to the parents.
Very Very important issue raised by Daiji! Parents wake up! Ask the support of your friends too whose children take this kind of transport! Maybe some help from RTA too! When autos do not allow more than three adults, atleast let them stick to strictly five children only.
I am totally apprehensive about this.I am thinking whether or no to comment on this.Thing is day to day affairs observed by each and every onlookers but nobody is dare enough to open their mouth.We can not blame either auto/omni drivers who are money conscious or parents they are helpless,financial weak.Here onus is on concerned/responsible departments,authorities,RTO,Police departments and to be blamed because of their laxity in implementing stringent punishments for such violators.Once the strict and stringent law is being implemented hope this type of activities will definitely stop.Prevention is better than cure.Parents co-operation,public support,concerned departments/officials intervention,school authorities focus etc are highly appreciated in this regard.Very pathetic scene.This is happening not only in Auto/omni buses but also we can see in City buses.Hope for positive response soon.
its easy to blame every one as we Indian s always do , point at other and we we are god. How many of u here have actually sent ur children safely to school. if we want less children to travel in one vehicle the driver will ask for more money is every parent ready? if there are too many vehicles near school there is no parking space where to park? , then honking will increase, people do not want to go in circles but want to turn immedeately near where they park even though its not allowed this is how we are.i face this problem eveyday. Solution can be school bus but the children have to wake up early.... and go in circles in the bus.... so solution??
most important method avoid accidents is strict enforcement of speed limit...... 90% of accident can be avoided by strict enforcement of speed.... trust me
Kudlada Kumaranne, Kudla, why you are acting like "kooombhar" (read in Konkani). Alwyn never blamed BJP here. You need to read his view point and then comment. Don't comment just for the sake of commenting like an idiot.
I totally agree that Children are not only at risk in overcrowded autos, but equally suffocated in omnis. No ventilation especially in rainy season.It amazes me that the police have a shut eye attitude to this, even with overcrowded buses tilting to a side.WHEN DO THEY PLAN TO WAKE UP....ONLY AFTER TRAGEDY OCCURS ! Common man has no value and if death occurs.....there is only empty sympathy ! Parents are equally responsible for allowing their children to be punished like this. The typical Indian attitude.....just to keep quiet and let all the injustice continue BUT WILL NEVER HAVE THE GUTS TO OPEN THEIR MOUTH ! PATHETIC !
The message am revealing is not considered with the topic above, But unfortunately i had no choice to reveal my message, The wine shop is been placed near PVS Circle, i cant understand why this is not been objected as there are many schools nearby, and the kids will be really affected to it, Someone please take care of this and see that the wine shop is shifted somewhere taking into the consideration of Students.
Parents wish thier Kids reach the school in safeway but the story tells otherwise.It is the traffic Dept. who's control brings the safety of school childrens always.It seems our traffic dept. only wakes after with a unknown Major happeninngs.It shows how poor the Infra structure/ the Action/drawbacks of the Traffic dept. itself in general?.
MCC should see that all schools have their own transport facility for pickup and for their students. It should be made compulsory for students to use the school transport. Parents have no choice but to send their child in an auto/omni. Not all parents have vehicles. Omni/autos should not be permitted to transport children to & fro.
District Public Affairs must take severe action against these money minded auto drivers. And Rescue our lovely Children's valuable life from major harm.
Very True. Not only we smiles at their cuteness , also police & administration. By gods garce nothing has been happened. Yes "OUR OFFICIALS WILL WAKE UP ONLY AFTER A MAJOR ACCIDENT ..THAT TOO FOR 2 DAYS. LATER SAME CONTINUES" Most of the drivers are very pactual & honest.
In my last comment about MCC raid I have raised this issue, who will listen! Tragedy will make them (RTO & Administration) wake up with corcodile tears.
Strange but true... OUR OFFICIALS WILL WAKE UP ONLY AFTER A MAJOR ACCIDENT ..THAT TOO FOR 2 DAYS. LATER SAME CONTINUES. I YOU OBSERVE PRIVATE MATADOR/ RICKSHAW THEY ACCOMMODATE CHILDREN MORE THAN 3 TIMES OF THEIR CAPACITY. BUT SAD THING IS " WHOM TO BLAME? WHOM TO COMPLAIN?
More over than auto, small children overcrowded in omni !! I don’t know how their parents gratify about these things !! Even the riding of these vehicle extremely swift !! Should be certain rule regarding to these dim-witted occupation !!
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