Drivers call for 'place in society'
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, January 14, 2011:
Drivers� Day was observed today for the 22nd time.
Various unions of commercial vehicle drivers observed the day at different places to pay homage to colleagues who lost their lives performing their duties.
The All Manipur Road Transport Drivers and Motor Workers Union (AMRTD & MWU) observed the day at Sinam Shyama Devi Town Hall, Chingmeirong while Manipur Drivers� Welfare Association observed the day at its office at MG Avenue.
Presentation of gifts and monetary assistance to the families of deceased and retired drivers marked both the functions.
Floral tributes were also paid to the deceased drivers.
On the occasion (AMRTD &MWU) gifted blankets with a cash amount of Rs.500 each to the elderly drivers who had retired from the profession.
Ng Haridas, general secretary of AMRTD & MWU, graced the function as president.
He lauded the hard working drivers, saying that the live of drivers is an unique struggle.
Their home is the place where they halt.
He appealed to all not to ill-treat drivers considering the nature of duty they perform.
Chief guest, social worker, O Henry acknowledged the difficult work of the drivers and said "We should respect all drivers".
District Transport Officer, Imphal West, Mutum Mani, speaking at the function, said he has observed a lowering of the status of drivers by the people compared to the respect given by the people a few decades back.
Drivers then were referred to as "driver saheb", this has been changed to "hey driver".
This has lowered the morale of the drivers.
Former president of the Union, Ito Tongbram, who graced the function as guest of honour reminded that in Manipur goods are transported on surface roads and since people are almost dependent on imported goods, the role of the drivers in the society is very important.
However, drivers are still harassed and ill-treated by various sections of society.
They are humiliated in different ways and are looked down as a weaker section of the society.
If people truly consider the way they are discharging their duties and the endless woes being confronted by them, the status of drivers should be pushed up in the society with due respect, he added.
January 14 has been observed as Drivers Day in Manipur since 1990 commemorating the day thousands of drivers who staged a continuous seven-day protest at Koirengei's old airfield adjacent to NH 39 against the excessive harassment received by them from the security forces, police and armed miscreants; the bad condition of the highways and the problems faced by them while passing through Nagaland and also against the lowering of the status of drivers in society.
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