Union Minister Nitin Gadkari Highlights Amitabh Bachchan's Civic Commitment Despite Injury
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, shared a compelling anecdote about Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan to emphasize the critical importance of civic duty and road safety awareness. Speaking at the 14th foundation day celebration of the organization Jan Akrosh in Nagpur on Friday, Gadkari revealed that the 83-year-old actor recently completed shooting for a road safety campaign despite sustaining a painful hairline fracture in his hand, all without accepting any monetary compensation.
Bachchan's Injury and Unwavering Dedication
Gadkari detailed that Bachchan suffered the hand injury after a fall during his exercise routine just two days before the scheduled shoot. "Despite being in significant pain, he continued with the shooting the entire day because it was related to a crucial road safety event with me," the minister recounted. Only after the shoot concluded did Bachchan inform Gadkari that he would go for an X-ray, which later confirmed the hairline fracture. This act, according to Gadkari, demonstrates Bachchan's profound "social sensitivity, consciousness, and responsibility" towards public welfare initiatives.
Gadkari's Call to Action for Road Safety
Using Bachchan's example as inspiration, Gadkari issued a strong appeal to citizens and elected representatives to exhibit similar commitment towards enhancing road safety across India. He specifically urged municipal corporators to take proactive responsibility for achieving zero fatalities in their respective prabhags (wards) by:
- Identifying and mapping accident-prone black spots within their areas.
- Implementing necessary infrastructural and safety measures promptly.
- Closely monitoring school transport systems to ensure children's protection.
Alarming Road Accident Statistics in India
The minister presented stark data to underline the urgency of the issue. India witnesses approximately 5 lakh road accidents annually, resulting in nearly 1.8 lakh deaths. Breaking down the figures further:
- Around 50,000 fatalities occur due to not wearing helmets.
- Approximately 30,000 deaths are attributed to not using seat belts.
- A staggering 65% of victims belong to the productive 18-44 age group.
Gadkari highlighted a particularly tragic statistic: "Every year, 10,000 to 12,000 children die while crossing roads near schools. Families are utterly destroyed when they lose their loved ones. Even during wars or the Covid-19 pandemic, casualties were not as high as these road accident figures," he stated with grave concern.
Government Initiatives and Positive Outcomes
Gadkari also discussed the government's 'Rah Veer' initiative, which incentivizes Good Samaritans who assist accident victims. Under this scheme:
- Individuals helping victims are awarded Rs 25,000.
- The government provides up to Rs 1.5 lakh for the treatment expenses of the injured.
He noted that targeted interventions and awareness campaigns have already yielded positive results, reducing fatalities by nearly 50% in some districts. The minister emphasized that with stricter enforcement of traffic rules and sustained public awareness drives, India could potentially save at least 50,000 lives every year.
Recognition for Jan Akrosh's Efforts
Concluding his address, Gadkari lauded Jan Akrosh for its consistent efforts in promoting road safety, including training thousands of schoolchildren. "The organization will now expand its impact by training more children at the Traffic Park," he announced, encouraging continued collaboration between civil society and government to build a safer road ecosystem for all citizens.
