Media Release
Mangaluru, Feb 22: In India, youth drive progress and development, with Young Indians (Yi) focusing on leadership, entrepreneurship, and nation-building. Yi aims to cultivate proactive individuals dedicated to strengthening India by moulding youth into leaders, addressing contemporary issues, and fostering innovation. Established in 1996 as part of CII, Yi became independent in 2002, serving as a grassroots organization emphasizing youth leadership and social responsibility. Acting as a bridge between students and professionals, Yi fosters collaboration and innovation, representing India's interests on global youth forums.
Yi Mangaluru Led by M Athmika Amin and Salome Lobo Pereira the chapter thrives with a committed team, stakeholders, and a range of diverse initiatives aimed at empowering the youth.
Mangaluru, a bustling city known for its vibrant culture and dynamic community spirit, recently witnessed a wave of enthusiasm and action during Road Safety Awareness Month 2024. From educational institutions to public spaces, various initiatives led by passionate road safety vertical chair Aajeeth Kumar and organizations ignited conversations and inspired tangible change in road safety practices.
1. Yuva-Led Initiatives:
A J Institute of Management students took to the streets alongside Mangaluru city police, leading a spirited road safety Rally on January 20. They engaged the community through vibrant demonstrations and a captivating street play, highlighting crucial issues like pedestrian safety and traffic regulations.
St Joseph College and MPM First Grade Government College students also contributed significantly by organizing rallies and awareness sessions, emphasizing the importance of responsible road behaviour and initiatives like Chota Cop and Farishte with placards carrying messages of road safety. This visual spectacle grabbed attention and sparked conversations.
2. Thalir Empowerment:
Thalir, wing of young children wings of Young Indians, played a pivotal role in driving road safety awareness. Collaborating with educational institutions and local authorities, Sarvodaya Higher Primary School, Moodbidri on 23 January 2024 conducted Farishte sessions and mentorship programs, empowering young minds to become advocates for safer roads with the help of Yenepoya Institute of Technology students who proudly turned mentors for their Chota Cops.
DKZP Higher Primary School, Kodical and SDM School, Mangaluru echoed with the enthusiasm of the newly minted Chota Cops, with the help of students of AJ Institute of Management who transformed these young minds into road safety warriors through their learnings on essential rules of the road, pedestrian safety, cycling awareness and traffic regulations.
Young Artists from SDM School participated in a lively drawing competition as part of road safety month festivities. More than 250 enthusiastic students from 3rd, 4th, and 5th standards showcased their creativity and advocated for safer roads. With crayons in hand and boundless imagination, the young artists depicted scenes of responsible pedestrian behaviour, cyclists sharing the road, and cautious drivers. Each drawing served as a powerful reminder of the collective responsibility to ensure road safety, making the event both an artistic showcase and a call to action for a safer environment.
3. Community Engagement:
The involvement of community leaders and organizations further strengthened the road safety movement. Collaborations with cinemas, digital platforms like Mangalore Meri Jaan, and radio broadcasts reached diverse audiences, spreading awareness and fostering a culture of safety.
The YI Mangaluru team collaborated with Mangalore Meri Jaan (the best digital creators in Mangaluru with 226k followers) to speak about YI and its road safety initiatives focusing on road safety month. The post on road safety reached a whopping 47.6k followers and amplified the road safety awareness campaign.
Yi Mangaluru showcased the road safety awareness slogans at 5 screens with 25 shows daily per screen for a period of one month at Bharath Cinemas, Mangaluru.
For a visual boost to this crucial initiative, 37 impactful hoardings graced various cityscapes, reminding everyone of their responsibility for safer streets. These diverse messages catered to different audiences, ensuring their impact reaches far and wide. From busy junctions to prominent neighbourhoods, they serve as constant reminders of safe practices.
4. Public Participation:
The community's response was overwhelming, with citizens actively participating in events like drawing competitions, bike rallies, and kite festivals. These interactive activities not only educated but also inspired individuals to take ownership of road safety. Yi Mangaluru Road Safety team collaborated with CultFit Mangalore to kickstart the 'Road Safety Week' with Farishtey sessions with more than 25 participating in the program. A Royal enfield bike rally was organized along with Niran Motors where 70+ riders participated in a city-wide republic day parade spreading awareness.
5. Government Support:
Meetings with key traffic authorities, such as the commissioner of police, Mangaluru, Anupam Agrawal, IPS, ACP of traffic; Geetha Kulkarni and DCP crime and traffic B P Dinesh Kumar, underscored the importance of collaboration between the public and government agencies in promoting road safety initiatives. For the of Yi Mangaluru in organizing various campaigns throughout the city, the police department of Mangaluru Traffic recognised and thanked the efforts of Yi Mangaluru for its initiatives on Road Safety on February 14 at the Rashtriya Rastha Surakshatha Masaacharana - 2024 held at Fr Mullers Auditorium.
6. Ongoing Commitment:
Road Safety Awareness Month 2024 in Mangaluru was not merely a series of events but a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives. Through collaborative efforts, education, and advocacy, the city took significant strides towards creating safer streets for all with a life-long commitment. As we move forward, let us remember that road safety is everyone's responsibility.
Join us in our endeavour to elevate Mangaluru to the status of a city with the highest number of certified first responders. Our comprehensive first responder training programmes are designed to equip individuals from various institutions, organizations, bus owners’ associations, hospital staff, school and college bus staff, and others with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively handle emergencies. By participating in these programs, you not only enhance your own capabilities but also contribute to the safety and well-being of the entire community. Let's work together to make Mangaluru a beacon of preparedness and resilience.
With your support, we can ensure that road safety remains a priority beyond designated awareness periods. Here’s how you can get involved: Share road safety tips with your loved ones and urge them to prioritize safety every time they drive. Obey traffic laws, watch out for pedestrians and cyclists, and advocate for better road infrastructure and education. Your actions and voice can make a difference in creating safer roads and saving lives. Stay informed to prevent accidents and injuries.
We can make a lasting impact and create safer streets for everyone. Let’s work hand in hand to ensure that road safety remains a top priority in our community, not just for a month, but every day of the year. Join us in our mission to create 24/7 awareness for road safety. Together, we can save lives and make our roads safer for all.