Be safe … Be Responsible…!

Be safe … Be Responsible…!

Road accidents in front of her eyes have laid down a great impact on her mind and made her realize that one can be safe and secure on roads with personal responsibility. This is the story of Padmaja, a resident of Guntur who established an NGO in 2014 and educating the public on road safety in order to control the unfortunate road mishaps. Currently, she is working as a District Road Safety Committee member. In an interview, she said that, she along with her husband and other 11 members running this NGO. She further also shared the reason to start this NGO. A family she is familiar met with an accident and house owner became bedriddenwith that incident. Four other engineers were traveling along with theirfamilies lost their lives in a road accident. Due to these road accidents,their families and children condition became worst. Few more incidents similarto these made a great impact on Padmaja and her husband Bangarayya garu andmade them start the NGO. Initially, they distributed pamphlets explaining aboutthe risks of road accidents and precautions to be taken to avoid these roadmishaps. They started their services by educating the pedestrians, motorists,academic institutions and business enterprises.

Her initial days    

Initially, she used to be frightened to talk in front of the peopleand when she started these programmes, many people discouraged her saying that no one will listen to her and she is just wasting her time. She continued with her awareness programmes saying that it is enough even if one person changes with her awareness programme. She has been setting a photo exhibition in Kotappa Konda celebrations since past 3 years as around 10,000 devotees attend these celebrations. Members of this NGO educate the public in the celebrations about the road safety and rules. So far, they have conducted around twenty photographs exhibitions. The authorities recognized their services and gave them the opportunity to set up their own stalls. She also said that, during these four years, they have conducted awareness programs in about sixty to seventy villages. They have also talked to Auto and Larry associations regarding these road safety measures. They are also holding rallies together with students. In the name of “Youth Helmet”, they have even conducted about fifteen rallies until now.

In her starting days, even her family members and mother opposed her saying that “she is a woman and should focus on her family responsibilities”, but fortunately her husband stood up for her. At the National level convention held in Visakhapatnam in 2016, she received an Appraisal Award from the Central Government Officer. Also, on August 15, 2012, she received the “Best Service Award” from the State Government through the hands of the Minister Achem Naidu and the District Collector. Till now, the cost of leaflet printing, Placard production and others were collected from the members of NGO and a few other close friends. She even added that they carry, these Leaflets, Placards, mike and others even if they go out for their personal works.