Total recall: speed thrills but also…?!


Finally the world has come out of football fever (rather its shakira fever J ! ) for the one month her Waka.. Waka had been the Universal anthem for all countries! Like last time Ricky stole our hearts, this time for Shakira. With her typical Indian style namasthe dance and unique voice, really no doubt the song was the most downloaded one in India. (Who gave tough fight is ‘the flag’ song!). When I was grazing through the news last month one item given in newspapers not only shocked me but also opened my eyes.

It started like a letter & accompanied by a photo of a handsome guy.

“Hi friends,

I am Deepak. You may not know me. I am 22 years old, charming, youthful guy. Like other guys, I too love driving. Rather it’s my passion. Driving car at high speed gives me unparallel thrill in this world. In the beginning I was at cloud nine, one day it proved fatal and I ended up being at heaven. My dear ones are missing me badly. I want that thing shouldn’t happen to anybody. So I request you to drive safely. Speed thrills but at the same time kills too. Don’t forget. Remember that not only cars are recalled by its makers!!

With love,
Deepak.

After reading that letter some kind of uneasiness set in my mind and it took one day to come out of that. No need to say that’s an Obituary message given by the affected by the parents of Deepak. I tried to trace the parents of Deepak. They were from normal upper middle class. Deepak was fond of driving car in a reckless manner. Though they have warned so many times, he did not heed. One day, (30th june 2009) he was returning to Chennai from Mahabalipuram, via E(ast) C(rime) R(oad!),in a turning, he lost control of the vehicle and it went upside down. I won’t say my son died of fate, it’s purely his mistake. And he added put this as my request. Please drive carefully and safely. Before starting your vehicle, think of your dear ones. More over he said had he given as a normal message, no body would have noticed. To attract everybody’s attention he did like this. Really he should possess a great mind to do this. Isn’t it?!

Of late due to industrialization or globalization, governments have woken up to provide roads and bridges, adding to driver’s delight (like Hemamalini’s cheeks! Courtesy: Sh. Lalluji). But have they taken care of measures to prevent accidents? The answer is pathetically no. no speed control measures, cameras, or proper police deployment! So drivers are at their mercy and every day reckless drivers are painting the roads with red!

As the economists are burning their mid night oil to predict the date in which India will overtake China, to become no. 1 in all aspects, such as Population or in the Economy , it claimed the top spot silently. Yes…. Last month India has become officially No.1 in the unexpected category. Till june China was No.1 in terms of road accidents in the world, i.e. 73000 accidents per year. India replaced with 1,50,000 accidents. Truly shameful indeed. But whether Government has woken up to see the truth? I doubt; it didn’t. Simply by writing “Drive Carefully”, the job of government is over? We also feel the pain, when our near and dear ones are the victims. (This one includes me too. I am writing this blog, after an accident happened last month in my home town, which took away the whole family of my friend, leaving him alone!!)

ISO blaming others let us start our own initiative. Let us take pledge to
v Drive carefully
v Drive slowly
v Follow the traffic rules
v Wear helmet/seat belt


By this way, we not only save our lives but also others lives too. I saw one quote some where. “You need not worry if others call you Mr. Late; but you have to worry when others address you like Late. Mr.”. simple words hun? But if their places are changed, it will give a world of difference.

Once again I remember the words from the letter. Not only cars are recalled by the makers! True words. It got imbibed in my heart; I hope the same with you too. Can I?