By Ms Pearl Fernandes for BISMumbai

Road Safety Week was celebrated by Don Bosco Junior College, Pune, in collaboration with Bekaert Industries Pvt. Ltd. from Monday 19 September to 26 September 2022. A number of activities were clubbed together to bring about awareness on road safety in the society.

On 20 September, a session on road safety was conducted by the Pune Traffic Police department and experts in the field of safety. Mr Anand Pardeshi enlightened the students with the help of various examples about the various traffic rules and Mr Nilesh Upankar demonstrated the difference between traffic rules followed in India and other advanced countries with the help of an amazing and effective presentation. The students were given an insight into The Motor Vehicle Amendment Act 2019 and were explained the importance of the Golden Hour – the first vital hour towards saving the precious life of a victim.

On 22 September, students witnessed a street play by the employees of Bekaert Industries. The students of Don Bosco Junior College also presented a meaningful street play on the theme, ‘Drive Safe – Be Safe’. Students participated in a grand Road Safety Awareness Rally covering the Don Bosco Marg. During the rally, students carried banners, called out slogans on road safety and felicitated commuters who wore helmets and had put on their seat belts. The street play was carried out at various road crossings during the traffic signal. The rally was very effective in giving out concrete and prompt road safety messages.

On 23 September, two students participated in the Road Safety Awareness Quiz along with many other colleges and won second place. Students also participated in various competitions such as road safety selfie competition, video making and poster making competitions and thus created self as well as social awareness during the entire week. Winners were awarded trophies and certificates. The College Captain, Ms Amelia Figueira expressed her delight by saying: “Such events help us to be aware citizens and make the youth responsible. I am happy to be part of this mission.”

The event was a great success owing to the efforts of the Principal, Fr Ajit Munis, and the Supervisor, Mr Leo D’Souza. The students of Don Bosco Junior College have always participated actively in such social awareness events.