Imphal, January 14 2009: ON THE occasion of the Drivers' Day in Manipur observed at Kangla Hall in Imphal today, tributes were paid to the drivers of the state especially those who had laid down their lives in harness.

Further while appreciating the hard works of the drivers and calling upon the people of the state to respect them, the occasion organised by the Manipur Drivers' Welfare Association (MDWA) also called upon the drivers to be more responsible with their duties.

The observation also stretched on the maintenance of the health of the drivers for a wealthy state.

Highlighting the importance of drivers in the state, Manipur Transport Minister L Jayentakumar, addressing the occasion as chief guest asserted that development of a society depends on the means of transport and communication which lay in the hands of the drivers.

Calling upon the people to regard and respect the drivers, the Minister also urged the drivers to take up their duties responsibly.

Addressing the occasion as guest of honour, Dr Kh Pramodkumar, project director of Manipur AIDS Control Society (MACS) maintained that the drivers of the state were of great importance to the society and the state.

"We are living in Manipur and our lives depend a lot on the drivers," stated the project manager of MACS and held that the drivers had to drive and travel from one state to other states transporting essential commodities.

And with the ever growing number of HIV/AIDS patients in the state, the project manager of MACS also called upon the drivers and cautioned them to be aware of such disease.

Being away from home and family on most occasions, sometimes for months, Mr.Pramodkumar cautioned the drivers to understand the situation of their work and cautioned them further about the disease and advised them on moral behaviours too.

He also urged them to "Know AIDS for No AIDS" and further urged them to keep the promise of 'Healthy Drivers for a Wealthy State'.

M Ibohal, president of the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transport Association (AMPPTA) singing praises for the drivers stated that the drivers though poor were never tire of their work.

Further appreciating their labour, the president of AMPPTA questioned why the government had not installed any award for the drivers while so many awards such as the Param Vir Chakra, Ashok Chakra etc were given away to the soldiers of the country.

The president of the association pointed out that the drivers had lost equal number of lives in the service of the nation, be it during elections or some other works and added that drivers have been equally handicapped and paralysed in their service.

Further expressing his concern over the matter, he also questioned why the central and the state government had failed to reason to this.

He also informed that the AMPPTA had sent a petition to the central and state government about the matter however lamented that there was no response.

Since the drivers' community here started observing the day way back in 1990, altogether 181 drivers were killed in various accidents so far in Manipur.

To pay respect to these drivers who lost their lives while performimg their duties, the day had been observed continuously till date.

At Chingmeirong mandop celebration held under the aegis of All Manipur Road Transport Drivers' and Motor Workers' union, Health Minister Pheiroijam Parijat was the chief guest.

Manipur being a land locked state in India's north eastern corner, the role of drivers is very important here as they're engaged in transporting the essential commodities of the state round the clock.

"Every day not less than 250 trucks excluding oil tankers and tourist buses left Imphal to procure essential commodities while another 200 goods laden trucks arrives if there's no bandh or blockade", says Yambem Lokeshwar, a former key functionary of Manipur Drivers Welfare Association told this reporter.

"Our community also provides job opportunity to many unemployed youths" he added, however the fate of the drivers are at stake in the present law and order situation of the state.

In August 2007,when two drivers of LPG bullet-Akoijam Boramani and Mishang were kidnapped from Dimapur,the drivers union strongly protested and demanded their safe release.Later they were handed over to the union unharmed,a statement of joint coordinating observation committee Manipur which was released on the occasion of 20th drivers day here said.

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