DEATH TRAP EN ROUTE TO SCHOOL: COME, JOIN THE DAILY AUTORICKSHAW LOTTERY!

DEATH TRAP EN ROUTE TO SCHOOL:
COME, JOIN THE DAILY AUTORICKSHAW LOTTERY!

Ganga Prasad G. Rao
http://myprofile.cos.com/gangar

We call ourselves members of a civilized society; in fact, pride ourselves as educated, informed with access to the convenience and amenities that comes from living in one of four metros of India. Yet, when it comes to everyday decisions, our common-sense seems to desert us. Why else in the world, would we send our children – our future, our hope, our everything – to school in those weird three-wheeled vehicles christened 'autorickshaw' or 'auto' that are no more than a rexin-covered half-open metal shell. Why would parents who care enough to scout for a good english-medium school, even if they are kilometers away, send their children in autorickshaws that can overturn when veering to avoid larger vehicles that treat them like scum or get crushed like the proverbial 'humpty dumpty' under overloaded trucks with foggy windscreens revving up at intersections to jump the red signal on a rainy day? Add to this, faulty signals, worn treads, potholed roads and inexperienced and aberrant drivers, and what you have is a veritable deathtrap on roads – a lottery on the lives of the young, crouching hapless in the auto, worried about getting to school on time. As if this is not enough - call it the last straw on the camel's back - these autorickshaws are dangerously overcrowded. A typical auto, whether private or public, meant to carry 3, carries anywhere between 4 to 10 children (mind you, with both sides open). I used to remark about the absence of a seat belt to restrain these children, but given the gravity of the problem, I do not know if they are any better off with it!

Truth be told, school authorities and the police have publicly issued warning about the dangers of such transportation. Where then is the failure? I suspect, it is us parents. Perhaps, we underestimate the risks that auto travel imposes on these tender innocents? Alternatively, could it be that we perceive the risks incorrectly (Public memory is short. After all, bad things only happen to others!)? Could it be that we undervalue their future, or, simply don't care? Whatever the case, it is important that we as a society give at least as much importance to health and safety of children as we do to their education. They deserve nothing less.

Strangely, it's not money or the absence of alternatives. Van service is available or can be arranged. The question boils down to choices – like the choice between 999-channel Dish TV or the weekly pizza and child safety! Sometimes, I feel like giving parents a bunch of randomized stubs with an 'accident' stamped on one stub. Parents could hand out one each day to their child as they cram into the auto with schoolbags and lunch boxes hanging out.... and say “Bye Bye”.

WAKE UP!!!