The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : On the road to safety

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 30, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

On the road to safety

By Our Staff Reporter

G.U.G. Sastry, Joint Commissioner of Police, and actress Rohini (extreme right) interacting with students of Stella Marris College on Thursday. — Photo: R. Ragu

CHENNAI, JULY 29. Sitting under the cool canopy of giant trees, it seemed as if students of Stella Maris College had gone back to the gurukulam era. They were seen sitting in rapt attention as an activist, a cine star and a police officer explained to them about the importance of wearing helmets, obeying traffic rules and just about all aspects of road safety.

The occasion was the inauguration of the Citizen for Safe Roads' (CSR) unit in the college today, the first in an educational institution.

R. Archana, a second-year B.Com student, outlined what they planned by becoming members of the organisation: "We will ensure that all students follow the basic guidelines, such as carrying license, wearing a helmet and avoiding use of cell phones while driving." The crowd of young women received her remarks with a cheer.

CSR activities

About CSR's activities, she said volunteers could assist the traffic police. They could also help in easing congestion and wear the traffic kit provided by the CSR. "We can rush an accident victim to the nearest hospital without being called in as a witness," she said.

On the specific problems faced by Stella Marians, she said students and staff found it difficult to cross the Radhakrishnan Salai both in the morning and evening. "Some of our students have been hit by moving vehicles," Ms. Archana said. She wanted a traffic personnel posted outside the college during peak hours.

The Joint Commissioner of Police (Greater Chennai), G.U.G. Sastry, said a host of factors led to road accidents.

He reminded the students that driving with caution would help to bring down accidents.

`Wear helmets'

Film actor actress and television personality, Rohini, asked how many students with a two-wheeler wore helmets. When she saw the poor response, the actress told the students not to postpone taking a good decision. Mythili Sriram, president of CSR, read out the names of prominent persons who were members of the organisation.

The moment she read out the names of actors Suriyaa and Madhavan, the girls cheered in unison.

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