Manjuba mandal spreads traffic rule awareness through helmets

Near PMC headquarters,it's not easy to miss Munjoba Tarun Mandal because of its huge red replica of a helmet.

Near PMC headquarters,it’s not easy to miss Munjoba Tarun Mandal because of its huge red replica of a helmet. The helmet has a screen which plays a 10-minute audio-visual traffic warning clip every hour.

“We collaborated with DCP Traffic Vishvas Pandhare for the clip and incorporated his ideas,” says Manoj Bahirat,co-organiser of the Mandal and brother of Committee president Atul Bahirat. The video includes clips of violent collisions caused due to drivers texting or calling while driving. “It may not be enforced by the law,but is that an acceptable reason to not wear a helmet?” asks Bahirat. The video also advises to stick to road rules like stopping at a zebra crossing and using indicators.

The Mandal conducts an hourly quiz and a person can win a helmet on answering three questions correctly. “Participants have to answer through an SMS. So far,we’ve distributed 30 helmets and our target is to distribute 100 by visarjan,” says Bahirat. After being denied sponsorship,the original target of distributing 100 helmets per day was brought down to fit the committee’s modest budget,he said.

The Munjoba Tarun is also the first Mandal to install CCTV,says Bahirat. “We have four cameras and we’ve captured several live traffic mishaps ourselves,” he says. They have also made arrangements for a First Aid kit and fire-fighting provisions. “We had a DJ last year,but we had some instances of people consuming alcohol. Those members have been relieved now,” he said.

Last year,the committee had donated MP3 players to a blind school and sponsored special cricket kits for them. “We’re doing our bit for the city,” said Bahirat.

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