1) The document summarizes the author's efforts to improve the living and working conditions of truck drivers in India through various initiatives like distributing pillows, health snacks, and self-care products. 2) It describes meeting with truck drivers and partner organizations to discuss challenges faced by drivers and ways to address issues like poor diet, hygiene, and low self-esteem. 3) Activities included educational sessions on road safety and signage, encouraging drivers to take pride in their work, and distributing items to improve drivers' comfort and well-being.

1. You DoN’T
Commit
murDer…
ONLY accident!

2. It is a sheer coincidence that the BJP
Prime Ministerial Candidate Narendra
Modi and I happen to hit the Kalyan
belt on the same day (21 April 2014).
Our objectives were same in a way; also
different in another way.
NaMo was expected to canvas votes for
his party candidate from that
constituency. On the other hand, I was
to canvass with truck drivers to dress
properly and thus move up the value
chain in terms of getting greater
acceptance from the white collar babus
whom these soldiers on Indian
highways serve – without realizing their
stellar role!
Commonality between NaMo and my
campaign was or is: kalyan… jana
kalyan (society welfare!)

3. It’s child’s play to script a plan or program. Execution is lot more tougher. Having scripted
the Mumbai-Pune Road Trip more than a month ago in the cool climes of Delhi home with
the idea of donating soft pillows to truck drives to enable them sleep better in their
trucks, the logistics of procurement, storage and distribution challenged immensely.
Solutions have to be local to keep cost manageable. That’s where Lalitha Sundaresan,
family friend based out of Mumbai, threw her weight around. She coordinated the pillow
buy of 100 plus in Mumbai. Tks, Lalitha-ji!

4. My 21000 KM odyssey with truck drivers (2010-12) gave a glimpse of their dietary
patterns. They don’t eat well. And not the right food. Tea they gulp in gallons. Tobacco
items (gutkha, mostly) consumes a lot of their disposable income. Why not digestive jal
jeera? Why not scented elaichi? Luckily these healthy items are available on roadside
shops like these and hawked cheaper than their preference. So, I stopped and stocked a
few 100 pouches for my driver mates from this +2 Babloo on Kalyan naka under the gaze
of NaMo hoarding.

5. Next halt: this pharmacy at Kalyan naka while we waited for Vijay Patil, a local NGO
(Sambhav Foundation) chief, to join us. The shopping list consisted of shaving kit: blades,
gel and some lozenges to soothen sore throats. Some shampoo pouches too. What for?
One of the issues that bug these truck drivers is that they are ‘NOT respected’ by anyone.
My prescription for this low self esteem is “dress properly & command respect”. Why this
‘beggary appearance always?’ Shave first. Dress washed and ironed cloth, if possible.
Change yourself first before changing others.

6. Meet Dr Vijay Pawar. No, he is not a
practising physician, though he did
specialise in ayurvedic medicines to
become a ‘doktor’. Somehow this
suave and soft spoken Marathi
manoos got sucked into social sphere
to pursue ‘jana kalyan’ as a career
option. Today, he is Deputy
Manager- Corporate Social
Responsibility @ Mahindra Logistics,
my main partner in ameliorating the
lifestyle of truck drivers. Vijay is
instrumental in this weeklong
Mumbai-Pune Road Trip and of
course, he is my co-traveler.
Together we had done over 1,000 km
past year in long trips. Drivers, both
of us genuinely feel, are one of us.
Our driver Pande from UP (inset)
lunches with us at the same table en
route sharing the same food we all
eat.

7. First things, first. Get the banner fixed at the entrance of Mahindra Logistics, Bhiwandi
warehouse. Helping hands galore.

8. Dr Vijay Pawar engages Sushil Cherian, Partner, Anantara Solutions, (extreme left) while
truck drivers troop in for the 90 minute long session on understanding highway signs
before walking away with soft pillows and some snacks. And a lot of fun, involving them!

9. Pillows are stacked. Will it be sufficient? Not everyone is going to get it. Some have to go
back empty handed. This is not a school where one has to ensure every kid gets his/her
toffee. Tension grips the assembled truck drivers because they mentally do the pillow
count and their own strength in the spacious hall where they are seated. There’s a
demand-supply gap!

10. After a minute long silent prayer/homage to all departed souls of truck drivers while on
duty, host Sanjay Ranadive of Mahindra Logistics welcomes the gathering of truck drivers,
colleagues and us. By the way, the theme song sung by Sonali Mohapatra, conceived by
Siddhi Vinayak Logistics when they started National Driver’s Day September 17 last year
has been on the loop right from the moment we walked in setting up the stage etc.

11. Uday Kulkarni of Mahindra Logistics – the man in charge of the state-of-the-art warehouse
at Bhiwandi impresses upon the audience the need for better dressing and safety
concerns: wear safety belt, drive on the left side. “Realize the important role you all play.
Stop sulking,” advises he to the attentive audience.

12. I believe in L-Cube: Life Long Learning. Hearing portly Sushil Cherian of Anantara Solutions
(advisors on supply chain and logistics to several companies) is really educative. He
throws a bombshell: “You’re like God,” he tells the truck driver audience. How? “When
someone is knocked off/killed on highways by you (truck drivers), police don’t call it
‘murder’ but ‘accident’. That is the kind of responsibility the State has bestowed on them.
So they have to act responsibly. “Only God enjoys that privilege!” says a cheeky Cherian!

13. NGO man Patil does not miss the opportunity to cajole drivers on the need to understand
highway signs. When you drive safely, you’re not only saving your lives, but others as well.

14. When white collar
guys – like you and I –
can indulge in a bit of
fun at regular get
togethers –
sponsored by
management – why
not these men who
ensure we lead
normal life on a daily
basis have some
entertainment? Blow
the balloon till it
bursts is the name of
the game. They enjoy
immensely. Engage
them. After all, they
are also humans – like
you and I.

15. “My name is so-and-so. I am a DRIVER” … Well, each driver when called onto receive
pillows chosen by drivers themselves by rotation is asked to proclaim LOUDLY this
statement. “Hum kissi se kam nahi” (We are not inferior to anyone), is preached! They are
told to get out of low self-esteem. Proper dressing in a way boosts self confidence.

16. Drivers are encouraged to open up and voice their concerns with the management whom
they serve. This young driver takes the floor to share his grievances. Don’t bottle up your
feelings. Let the other party hear you out. Two way communication is essential.

17. They smilingly accept that everyone cannot be a winner. Some walk out with soft pillows.
Others, empty-handed. That’s life. As the program began with one minute homage to
departed souls of truck drivers while on duty, the function ends with National Anthem.
Jai ho!

18. Deep Apartment, 52 Ward No. 1, Behind Punjab National Bank,
Mehrauli, New Delhi 110 030/India
ramesh@krkfoundation.org
IMPROVING Truck Drivers’ Working & Living Conditions

19. Truckers,
The
BACKBONE
of India

20. Am part of your ECOSYSTEM. Help me to help YOU!