The finale of the Children's road safety fortnight,organized by GOACAN
culminated with a vibrant traffic awareness day at Vidya
Vikas Academy,Margao.When the students arrived to school in the morning,they
were in for a surprise -- the grounds in front of the
school had been converted into a lifelike network of roadways.Using chalk,
roads,national highways,speed breakers ,zebra
crossings etc were marked out at ground level ,and at eye level ,all there
were exact replicas of road safety signage's-- one way
signs,no entry signs,crossroads etc.35 enthusiastic students on bicycles
rode the track ,observed by judges who awarded points
for those students who followed all the rules of the road.The school also
organized a written quiz on road safety for all the
students , and also an exhibition on road safety Charts and Posters was put
up.
Later in the day ,GOACAN launched the Consumer Welfare Club at Vidya Vikas
Academy.The function began with the traditional
lighting of the lamp by Mr. Prakash Azavedo, Assistant director ,Enforcement
,RTO, Mr. D Mistry,from Traffic Police Cell, Mr.
Roland Martin,GOACAN coordinator,Teacher Sheetal Kumar, and two students
of the Academy.It was followed by awareness
talks on consumer rights by Roland Martins.Mr. Martins spoke about the six
basic rights of consumers ,and he urged students to
demand for tickets in buses,and in general to be aware of their rights.The
Consumer Club wallpaper was released by Mr. Azavedo
and Mr. Martins. The complaint book and the complaint box were shown to the
students ,and they were encouraged to be bold and
write down complaints and suggestions . Mr. Prakash Azavedo spoke on the
functioning of the RTO.He urged students to use the
yellow complaint cards against errant bus drivers, and he promised to take
suitable action.Mr. Mistry advised students on proper
road etiquette.He also explained the significance of different
signage's.The panel discussion concluded with a question and answer
session ,where students asked the panelists a range of questions on traffic
management and road safety.
The day's program ended with all the students ,lining up ,to have a look at
the Interceptor. The RTO officials explained the details of
the working of the Interceptor ,and its functions.Truly it was a day with a
difference - the students having emerged richer with
knowledge of road safety and traffic mangement.
- [Goanet] Consumer Welfare Club traffic awareness activity /... Melinda Powell
-
