Tired of road blocks, activists clear jams

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Some social issues can irritate to the extent that it’s difficult to stop oneself from being involved in them to resolve things. Something similar happened with professional Preeti Chandel, who after working with the corporate sector for more than 13 years took up the cause of road safety and started “Encourage India” that aims to spread awareness about road safety in various parts of the city.

Started five months back, Preeti has conducted three programs in Khan Market, Defence colony and the most recent in Vasant Lok Market last week. Preeti says it was the pain of driving on Delhi roads that made her take up this cause. “It became an everyday affair to cross blocked roads, witness people breaking traffic rules, find someone fighting with the traffic cop because he was challaned and didn’t want to pay up and many more such things. It really irritated me. One day I just couldn’t stop myself from taking it up. I spoke to a few of my friends, who supported me and Encourage India was set up,” says Preeti, who quit her job to work on it full-time.
But even social welfare isn’t as easy as imagined, they had their share of hardships. “We had to struggle a lot before we could finally start with the programs,” says Preeti, who had to take permission from the cops before every program. However, cops helped her with the traffic rule brochures and pamphlets that were distributed to the public during the programs.
Siddhartha Srivastava, an investment banker and volunteer with Encourage India, took it up because he was tired of seeing traffic jams. “I mostly got down to clear the traffic,” he says, adding that he wishes to participate in all the upcoming initiatives. “I’ve volunteered for many causes and I know the hard work that goes into making these initiatives successful,” he says.