Kulgam, July 22(KNS): South Asia Center for Peace and Peoples Empowerment (SACPPE) in collaboration with the Assistant Regional Transport Office (ARTO), Kulgam organized an event titled: “Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens”, here on Saturday, which was attended by a large number of people, including people associated with transport industry.

The event, part of the SACPPE’s mission to educate citizens about their rights and responsibilities, evoked a massive response among the citizens, who appreciated the organizers for their efforts to educate people on such an important theme.

Speaking on the occasion, Abrar Ahmad Kripak, the ARTO Kulgam, said transport workers, such as bus drivers, are doing noble jobs and their role is very important for the betterment of society.

“Safety is every driver’s main responsibility - the safety of everyone in and around your vehicle: passengers, other drivers, pedestrians and cyclists. The driver plays a role in regulating the system by serving the population and providing mobility,” he said.

“Driving a bus can be a secure and rewarding profession, regardless of your education or work experience. People have to follow the law of the land and drivers’ role in implementing it on ground zero is very important. Drivers are ambassadors who can carry good messages from one area to another,” he added.

Majid Shah, Motor Vehicles Inspector, in his address to the gathering said, there is need to hold such events for the benefit of people.

“Society needs to be responsible if we have to move forward. Road safety is a global priority and responsibility of drivers on roads is crucial. A driver when on wheels is not only responsible for his safety and security, but the passengers travelling in his vehicle and pedestrians walking on roads,” he said.

Shah said that today we are living in a materialistic world where the standard of living has risen but at the same time standard of life is waning unabatedly.
“The erosion of moral values in our society has become a very disturbing phenomenon. Moral values are those sets of standards by which we recognize between right or wrong,” he added.

Umar Bhat, Vice-President of the SACPPE said that holding such events was one of the priorities of the organisation. “This is a primary prevention activity involving the public transport groups designed to ensure the safety, well-being of the commuters and pedestrians by having drug-free transport personnel. To tackle things like drug or alcohol misuse in the transport industry (as well as any other workplace) there must be a strong workplace drug and alcohol policy,” he suggested.

It is the responsibility of managers in the transport industry to ensure all staff and passengers arrive safely at their destination. “Be proactive in your approach. Look after your staff’s wellbeing,” Bhat added.

The SACPPE is a government registered, non-profit and apolitical organisation which is working for the cause of all round development of the society and promotion of education, research and learning.(KNS).