It was certainly a lesson far too costly for the family of 19-year-old Tushar Gupta who died in a road accident near Balewadi on November 26. Tushar had left home on his bike around 7.30pm to buy some savouries for the children at home when a water tanker hit him from behind, toppling him to the ground.
His elder brother Ashok Gupta says, “There was not a mark anywhere on his body , except the one at the back of his head, which proved fatal.The situation would have been different today had he worn a helmet. He was expected to be shortlisted for a major swimming championship later this month.“ In a similar accident, 23year-old Nemaram Dewasi was killed while driving to his shop after lunch on October 26. While no one is sure of what happened, passers-by had reported that a four-wheeler hit him from behind. The accident left Nemaram in a coma for two days, after which he succumbed to his injuries on October 28. His elder brother Ramlal still wishes to turn back time so that he could make Nemaram wear the protective headgear.
Not too far from Dewasi’s residence lives Ganesh Kaspete, who lost his 65-year-old father, Shantaram Kaspete, to a road accident in April.Shantaram was returning home from the bank on his twowheeler in the afternoon when he was hit by an unidentified vehicle. The accident killed him on the spot. Neighbours rushed home to inform the family of Shantaram’s death. Ganesh says, “Nothing will be the same again. My mother is still there, but the head of our family is gone. Now all the pressure of running the family is on my shoulders. I have now started wearing the helmet diligently .“
Aundh resident, Dheeraj Deshmukh (24) has also understood the importance of wearing a helmet after being in a road accident that killed his friend, 23-year-old Rohit Muley . The two had stepped out together for evening snacks when their bike slipped on an uneven road. While neither of them was wearing a helmet, Rohit, who was riding the two-wheeler, paid with his life.
“Rohit was going to join a new insurance company in about three weeks. Since that accident, I understood the importance of a helmet and use it every time I am on a twowheeler. I also keep reminding my other friends about it,“ Deshmukh says.
Sarang Awad, deputy commissioner of police (traffic), says a large number of young citizens lose their lives to road accidents. “It has been seen that young citizens and breadwinners of families make up the biggest chunk of fatalities in Pune. Loss of a breadwinner spells doom for the entire family . The social and economic cost of not wearing a helmet is far too high, resulting in a loss not just for the immediate family , but for the entire country . Citizens should consider wearing a helmet at least for the sake of their loved ones,“ Awad said.
Source : TOI
