Indian roads are rightly called death traps because of the number they contribute to death. There is of course no single cause responsible for the unending accidents. Various factors such as human error, vehicle condition, road environment, untrained drivers, poor road designs, load illiteracy etc. can be held responsible for the tragedy. Apart from that, the increasing number of vehicles on the road, poor quality helmets, and zero regards for traffic rules also make a place in the list.
The number of accidents might have increased or decreased every passing year, but clearly not much has been done to improve the conditions of the roads. It is very apparent how much the supposed authorities care about the betterment or values the human lives. We have a story, a personality whose determination and actions speak about how negligent our concerned authorities are and how a single responsible citizen can bring the movement of positive change in society.
Who is Gangadhar Tilak Katnam?
Gangadhar Tilak Katnam known as the Road Doctor is a 73-year -old citizen from Hyderabad. After his retirement after working for 35 years for the Indian Railways, he settled back in Hyderabad and joined a software company as a consultant. This was the period of his life when he became the ‘road doctor’. Oh his first day of driving to the office, he accidentally splashed mud water on the school-going children. This happened because his car fell into a pothole on the road.
He witnessed other accidents at various places occurring because of the potholes. Each time such an accident would occur, Tilak would go to the police to tell them that no accident would happen if the potholes were fixed. He furthermore went to the other authorities as well with the same suggestion. However, this was of no use.
What inspired Tilak to become the Road Doctor?
One day, Gangadhar Tilak saw an RTC bus ram an auto, crushing one person to death at the very moment. He had already witnessed another accident three-four days ago. His mind couldn’t stop thinking that if the pothole was fixed after the last accident, a life could have been saved today. This was the time when he realised that he would have to take the initiative. From that day on, he would always carry empty gunny bags in his car, collect tar lumps from footpaths and fill potholes on his way to the office and back home.
Eventually, after a period of one and a half years, Tilak became even more determined that he would go out and fill the potholes during his lunch breaks as well. After a year, he left his job as a consultant in the company and dedicated himself entirely to the roads. For the complete next year, he would spend his pension money on fixing the roads. His wife was worried about him and didn’t like that her husband works out in the hot sun. Hence, she called their son in the US to talk some sense into his father. Luckily, their son was impressed by his father’s determination and he decided to help him instead. He created a website and Facebook page for Tilak.
What is the Shramadaan organisation?
The website and Facebook page were a turning point for Tilak, as he finally established an organisation “Shramadaan”. It is a voluntary initiative where people volunteer to repair potholes. Moreover, they also run a helpline where people can contact and inform them of potholes in particular areas.
Initially, when Tilak’s son approached GHMC regarding the scene, they ignored him giving a false assurance that they would fix the problems. This didn’t affect Tilak and he continued the task eventually persuading GHMC to join hands with the organisation. Since 2012, the GHMC has been providing the organisation with the required resources and materials.
According to Tilak, whereas his initiative has grabbed the media’s attention and has brought a change in people’s mindset, it hasn’t received an eye from the politicians who are supposed to be the ones bringing change in society.
Tilak hasn’t received donations or funds for this work. He has been doing this from his own pocket. Earlier, he used to spend 25,000 per month but after GHMC’s help, he spends 15,000 now. He has filled more than 2,000 potholes today and has spent over 40 lacs.
Has Gangadhar Tilak Katnam’s efforts been worth it?
Certainly, Gangadhar Tilak Katnam’s initiative speaks volumes about his concern & determination for the lives, and a sense of being a responsible citizen. He has brought a good change, given a good message, became a motivation for other citizens, and above all saved God knows how many lives. He deserves to be recognised all over the country so much so that good changes can be brought in as many numbers as possible.
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Author: Simran K Parmar
A post graduate in English Literature, secular humanist, critical thinker, an outspoken atheist, follower of equality and a lover of philosophy. craftedfashion94@gmail.com
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