Charity begins at home......

A natural human tendency is to advice. Advice giving is the easiest form of expressing knowledge, concern towards others and most importantly pointing fingers elaborately at others silly mistakes. Overlooking the similar or grave mistakes, if our lives.

One of the most common thing is our careless attitude towards our precious and loving assets our children and automobiles hygiene.

Let me share a sad incident that just happened a day before on the road....

Time 7:10am, I was in a hurry on my way to Mumbai, near Kalyani nagar turn, i saw a santro, a bus and tourist Indica parked in a position which looked like near miss major accident. As usual and the goodness of our punekar 's many people gathered trying to help somebody in Santro. I got curios and got out to see if i could be of any help.

My first reaction is always to see if anybody was injured or hurt, fortunately no body was hurt.

I understand that the mother was driving her 9 year old son to school and suddenly at the blind spot a tourist cab came in from a wrong side and the mother had to hard brake in panic. The bus from behind came too close to comfort. There was a relief on everybody's face that a major accident was averted.

But the worse was unseen, the child seated in the co-passenger seat, which was slightly reclined, holding the juice can was lying without any movement. The mother screamed by the name of her child, trying to wake him up, but in vain. The child was rushed to the neighboring hospital.

The reason - child on his way to the school was sipping his unfinished juice, absolute peacefully on the half reclining front seat. But during this sudden panic and braking, the child had fluid in his wind pipe which was predominantly because of the position he was sitting. He was in 45 degree plus seat reclined, which physically is the position where such unseen fatal incidents can happen. We never realize this do we?

My request to all those over enthusiastic or learned parents is, this is no way expressing love towards your bundle of joy.

Another such incident just a day or two before, outside our showroom at Bawdhan, one van was coming up from the service road to join the main road, and there down hill was coming this bike father having his younger child on the tank and the elder son sitting behind, suddenly it was witnessed that the bike just went crashing in the van. with the younger one hitting the window glass and the elder fell of the bike hitting the road hard on the head. Both the children bleeding profusely were rushed by our service van to the hospital.

The reason behind this was, the younger son was controlling the throttle and definitely had it at near maximum and before the father could react, the accident took place.

Why do we get so carried away? Why don't we behave responsible? Is this the way to show our affection to our children. making them sit in the co-passenger seat, making them sit in your lap and handing over the steering wheel, don't you realize, that in case of panic braking, its your child's rib cage which can be crushed, because of your weight and the steering wheel .

I think we need to stop all such people when we see them on road, we don't have to advise but act upon it.

Remember a child below 14 years and less than 5 ft should not sit in the co-passenger seat, reason, the seat belts may not fit correctly and scientifically for its purpose of safety, if wrongly strapped, it may hurt your child. Also the child's mind below a particular age is not so alert to actually take any evasive action in case of emergency. There is a child lock in the rear door for the safety of your child, I have seen 95% people not knowing or using it.

A humble request please point out these live mistakes and may be from a stranger you just turn a life saving ANGEL.

Law of any goodness and charity is, it has to first begin at home. I think we need to pledge our child's safety while driving or riding or even walking.

Its Heard...

Just an update, to all the listeners and the readers.

1]My blog Sound travels faster than light.... the case has finally seen light .

The good news is that the complete zone is been declared a free parking zone, with date parking boards put in visible areas.

2] My blog Its your choice... where i wrote about the democratically created "U" turn at Ramwadi, has been correctly blocked and does not exists any more.

Please the point to drive here is perhaps we are heard.......

Your choice.....

Stage - Nagar road, near Aga khan palace, time 8:30am

Just look around yourself either standing at a signal or if you are been driven then outside the window, as if you are having vaccum in your head or simpler just look around as if you are an alien in your own land (i would have said infants but even a 13 year old are father figure's now)

Scene- Road leading from Aga Khan palace to Shastri Nagar chowk...

There is a truck going (crawling) in the right lane, emitting loads of black smoke, in the bikers face behind, the cycle is almost overtaking the truck from the left. You are trying to figure the way ahead, tactically anticipating the intention of the truck, just as you too get tempted to peep from the left of the truck, there comes a biker from your left hand side swaying his way straight in front of your car bonnet, deciding to brake suddenly as he is also caught unaware of the truck ahead,(he may be a devil who has ) just come to check how efficient your car brakes are, in case they are weak, god help and in case they are over efficient then god definitely help you from the speeding truck coming from behind. Please imagine the scene and please also pray not to get in situations like these.

As you negotiate all this and arrive at the signal (Shastri nagar chowk bang opposite the Yervada police station) the road ahead is one going straight, one to the right and it is also a "U" turn. you have somehow managed to place yourself in the center lane with right indicator on, the signal turns green and as you press the accelerator, there is a car which comes from your left full swing and takes a "U" turn without even noticing your existence on the road, you franticly brake again to save the collision, and perhaps look at that driver in dismay, the looks you get from that car taking "U" turn is, "Chal aage dekh ke chala". Well this is just the "tip" of the "tip" of the iceberg of our grave traffic situation on the road going to work.

If you now look back, as an alien at the whole episode, what is that truck doing at morning 8:30am in the highly crowded road emitting black smoke at that crawling speed? Why is the cycle overtaking the truck? Why did the biker overtake from the left? Why did a car take a full "U" turn without any signal and completely against the rule of driving.

I am usually amazed with such insane incidents on road, even difficult to analyze the reason for this but only one thing that comes to mind is the impatience which the people have.

It definitely is not funny, let me share an incident witnessed the earlier morning (sunday) on the same road near Ramwadi.

There is this democratically created "U" turn by sidelining the road divider's. People merrily take "U" turn from there right in the face of upcoming high speed traffic. I happen to witness that a big car was taking a "U" turn and as usual and rightly so, I saw this driver watching the up coming speeding traffic, specially the biker who was racing in, suddenly the car brakes, and there are two big bang sounds, one i saw the biker coming and crashing the rear of this car, and while i was wondering where the second sound came from, I saw a mob running toward front of the car, an another biker was trying to cross the road from the wrong side, who has had a head on collision with the same car.

I tried to analyze and i thought that we live by the theory of probability. The car driver, probably he may take a turn before the biker reaches the spot, the biker did not reduce the speed, thinking probably the car will pass through before he reached the spot. The third unseen angle, the wrong side local biker thought probably he will pass through between both of them to cross the road. But they all failed in the law of physics of time, speed and distance.

We do this so often on road ask yourself dont we? well this is only because we are impaitient and make our way through, now we have this two bikers and the car driver who were nursing their wounds at the local hospital. You may ask why the car driver, well we had these onlookers, who decided to help the bikers on the road by letting their frustration on the car driver who probably had very little role in this mayhem. before they even got these bikers and their bikes of the road.

I wonder at time where are we headed too, i understand every one is equally hard pressed for time, every one wants to be the first, but do we realize that impatience can lead us to self destruction.

I just remembered a small saying on the back of the truck i read years ago, While driving of the road please decide if you want to be -----Mr/ Ms. Late or Late Mr/ Ms choice is yours.

Technical Snagggggggggg.....

Am really sorry to all the people who have been following the blog and have send me mails and sms for finding reasons why am I not writing, actually there was a technical problem. However it appears to have been fixed.
I have just one promise to make as much you all enjoy reading my blog, I enjoy writing it and i will continue....
My sincere apologies once again for this unintentional disappearing act.
A big Thank You for your attention and love. Humble request please keep reading.....
Regards
Jitendra Mali

In our Pune sound travels faster than light.....

Evening 1900hrs, lane 6 KP (Koregaon Park) the usual friendly neighbourhood. I was there to pick up my son from his dance rehersal. I parked the car on the shoulder of the road, in the designated area for parking. I was back in half hour, to find small stick-on placed on the window with only a mobile number. I was about to ignore thinking it was some sales man who must have put it. Just then my son excitedly asked me "Daddy why have you put a cycle lock to your car, are you also scared some one will drive away". I astonishingly looked at the front wheel where his finger was pointing.

To my surpise I saw a huge yellow padlock tagged to my RHS front wheel. I guessed that probably the number on the stick-on is the key to this "cycle lock"

I called the number and was received by a very unfriendly voice which responded saying "BOLA". I probed and with certain "uncertainty" told where i was calling from and on hearing just the address that voice said "thamba tikde me yeto thodya velat", "tud" the phone was disconnected. I had not even completed my statement, however message received by me was loud, clear and rude.

I was now waiting in anticipation for this voice to arrive in a physical form. Looking at me and my anxious look another parent, incidently a "Sardarji" friend said, "koi nahi kuch der pehle mere saath bhi yahi hua, bol rahatha no parking main gadi hai, bas 200 rupee deye aur lock khul gaya, abhi woh aayega fine Rs: 500 with receipt mangega, tu bas 200 rupeye pakda aur tala khul jayega." making this statement in the most casual form, he disappeared in his car and drove away.

Anyway my wait was on and after 15 minutes one motor bike arrived with two guys they looked like tout's one chewing pan masala and both unkempt. I simply ignored them, but a similar padlock one like on car actually caught my eye, it was held by the pillion rider.

Walking upto me:
They: yeh aapki gaadi hai?
I: Haan!
They: 500 rupaye fine dena padega..
I: Kis liye??
They: Yeh no parking hai aaj....
I: Kahan likha hai??
They: one guy point a finger towards a tree about 30 mtrs ahead and say's there is a signage of P1
I: there isn't any, I cant see!!
They (second guy): Arre udhar hai, aap jake dekho. In the mean time another guy pointed towards another tree across the road and said "woh wahan par bhi pati hai na"
I : Arre bhai kahan?
They: boss Rs:500 ka fine hai, jaldi pauti phado...
I (surprised): Tum ho kaun??
They: Traffic police contractor!!!!!!!!
I: Toh Traffic police kahan hai?
They: yeh hamara area hai... (sounded like some bhai)
I: Maine poocha police kahan hai???
They: doosre site pe hai... jaldi pauti phado.
I: Tumhare pass receipt book hai?
They (looking at me blankly): yeh raha (the first guy pulls out a government press printed and stamped receipt book from his baniyan and places on my car).
I: Yeh to police authority ke pass honi chahiye, tumhare pass kaise?
They: Aap fine bharoge kya saab, humko aur bhi jagah jana hai!!

I was stuck because the time 2015hrs and i was losing patience, these goon's had the key, my car was strapped. I was frustrated and trying to keep patience.

They: 500 rupaye fine.
I: mujhe receipt chahiye?
They: thik hai 500 rupaye... nahi to tumhari marzee?
I: matlab!!!
They: without "pavati"
I: How much??
They: the second guy, (with glowing eyes) 200 rupaye (Sardarji was right)

I wanted to understand this whole issue, so demanded a receipt, paid rs:500. They reluctantly opened the lock and went away.

I am now writing to the traffic commissioner along with the copy of the receipt. I have also taken pictures of the entire parking area and also the hidden and invisible P1 and P2 boards.

I understand and respect the law, I obey the rules.

I definitely could have avoided the fine, but unlike our (civilized) regular habit and "jane bhi do yaaron" attitude of not exposing the wrong doings. I have decided to take the bull by the horn. I would want to use my influence to get some correct answers, rather make (or buy) my way out of problems.

I remember reading in news paper some day's back, that traffic police were serious of dealing with illegal parking in the city and they were definitely going to deal with people strictly and would impose fine.

I can assure that not a soul from the traffic department would have ever visited this site of Lane 6 KP to identify the location of these boards P1 and P2.

Infact, am more traumatized because the illegal parking of the tourist buses in the heart of the city which cramps the traffic like Simla office, Station, Ruby Hall , Gunjan Chowk, Don Bosco road and many more still continue.

I felt cheated by the commitment of the traffic department and the system, because the fine collection has began to fill the pockets of the government, but the norms and system are yet not set.

The fine collector is an unidentified guy who bears no office nor authority to collect fine, but he carries a government press printed and stamped receipt book. (Telgi scam looks so normally possible)

My conclusion, "In our Pune the sound of money (fine collection) from rule offenders has travelled faster than the modified and appropriate traffic norms for safety and convenience which have not seen the day light."

My question and quest to get it answered by the Traffic department will be on.... ab ki bar main bhi peecha nahin chodunga.....

Common and Uncommon episode 1

Common sense: definition: the sensibility displayed by the common or the most uncommonly prevailing sense among the common human.

I always wonder where do we get (inherit) our common sense from, family and friends, I suppose... But the most important thing about the common sense is, it is like taste buds of different family members of the same house..... its different!!! Everyone moulds it to their liking and benefits. "Its like our house of commons's" the sense swings in the direction of favorable wind.

For example:

Most common sense thing is: putting on seat belt while driving, both by driver and co-driver.

Most common scenario we see : Negligible percentage of the driving population wearing seat belt.

Most common answers we get: Does it really help??? ...... It is so suffocating!!!!..... It spoils the dress!!!... Its just a short distance i am travelling..... Oh, i put that only when i am on the highway.... I thought seat belts are to be put on only when I drive at high speed?... I am just not used to it.... Oh! it get tighter over the belly...

The point to drive is for one simple thing like wearing a seat belt which is a very meaningful habit, we have 100 reasons for not wearing it.

Now, you may realize how a basic safety hygiene becomes a big task for many of us.

Advantage of wearing a seat belt is so simple, "it is an active safety device and feature in your car which in case of a frontal or a rear impact holds you tight in your seat and does not allow you to crash with the dashboard or steering wheel. Hence prevent serious or fatal injury."

Have you not heard that people have walked out safe even after huge impacts only because they wear seat belts.

But this small good habit when not followed has also proved fatal on a small drive. Try ask someone who has lost a loved one.

The sensibility of the commonsense prevails when we inculcate a simple habit because it has a logical conclusion to save your life.... and I think it is worth it.

The beginning....

This whole idea of blog originated may be 12 years ago...when my dad meet with a road accident, he along with his two wheeler was pushed of the road by a speeding car and he got a forehead injury as well a broken arm. There after the irony was no one wanted to help him as he lay there in pain for half an hour and been an ex-services man with the same injury he drove back home.
Those days cell phone were luxury.

I rushed my dad to the hospital and had him treated for his injuries. The incident haunts me even today and ever since I always kept wondering what was my dad's fault, why did he have to suffer? I always wondered why not a soul came forward to help him, what was the hesitation? I was wondering did that someone who was speeding for fun or reasons best known to the person was even aware of the damage created by him?

This kind of incident today probably is one of the most common incident next door type.

In 2005 I first came on air with a thought of social moral responsibility by way of my driving and maintenance tips, some thought it was a publicity stunt, some that it was glamorous, but the goodness was those who actually needed some answers, help and clarity got them.

The intention was if I could help even a few to understand the importance of maintaining their vehicle for safe driving, longer life of the vehicle, lesser pollution and reduce maintainence cost it will be job well done. Fortunately, i kept getting good response and many people started to benefit.

My Blog is a step ahead to get closer and more accessible to the people and have an interaction which will be more meaningful and useful.

Looking at the growing road accidents and that to fatal, i genuinely thank Radio One to run a small campaign where we wanted to analyse what factor and whom do people hold more responsible for road accidents, the option were "Mechanical failure" or "Human error" . Not so surprise overwhelming response came "Human error" as the prime cause of accidents.

They say "to err is human" but when a human error causes damage, permanent disability or even fatal. What is the bandwidth of human error?

My personal thought is can this element of human error be minimized? What are those factor's which actually trigger human error?

One good thing about our land is we are all well connected to the top and all of us know the big boss on the top and so avoiding long punishments or for that matter getting out of situations is easier.

I have question, how many of us are well connected with God and how many of them can reverse the loss of a loved one, or permanent disablement, because the so called human error.

Its one beautiful life and how do you think when it is ends so abruptly... alive some seconds before and LATE because of the human error.

I can't undo the human error, but definitely with your help try and minimize? At the same time I can share my knowledge with all the maintenance tips, driving tips along with safety (both active and passive) understanding and drive a point of hygiene in our driving and road safety habits.

happy and safe driving
Jitendra Mali
6th August'09