Nayagarh: Even as the state government has made helmets mandatory for bike riders and pillion-riders, there is no let-up in the number of accidental deaths.
The government had earlier launched the ‘No Helmet, No Petrol’ rule to encourage bikers towards helmets, but the campaign did not yield results. At a time when rules set by the government are being left ignored, a trolley puller of Nayagarh has come up with a unique way to promote wearing of helmets.
Dukha Pradhan of Nayagarh NAC ward-3 has been promoting the noble cause for last two years. His family comprises himself and his wife. The couple happily survives with whatever Pradhan earns by pulling a trolley.
In his small way to encourage bike riders to wear helmets, Pradhan himself wears a helmet while riding his trolley. Most of the time, people wear helmets to avoid penalties during police checking. However, everyone must make it a point to use it everyday, Pradhan quips.
“It might sound peculiar but the unusual combination of a trolley and the helmet attracts attention,” Pradhan said, adding although some people poke fun at him, a few are inspired and wear helmets. If not all, I am happy that I save a few lives.
What’s more interesting is that he got the helmet as a donation from a well wisher after Pradhan expressed his wish to promote the noble act. “As I cannot afford a helmet myself, I shared my wish with a well wisher. The gentleman gifted me a helmet,” Pradhan said.
If a stranger can gift me a helmet, why can’t people ask their friends and relatives to wear helmets and save their lives? Pradhan says.
Another interesting fact is that he is radio listener. He loves news and songs aired on radio that he carries everywhere on his shoulder. Due to financial constraints, he cannot afford a TV and the radio serves as his only source of news.
“I cannot bring much change in society owing to my financial status. However, I try to give back to society by creating awareness,” he concluded. PNN
