An unfortunate incident

Well… this is neither a complaint, nor a vent out of anger. I feel all the parents should be humbly requested not to give their children bikes until they are 18 and without proper license. They should understand how to control a bike and most importantly, they should not forget helmets. Since the day I have moved into this beautiful city, one sight really annoyed the hell out of me. People of all ages are driving bikes without helmets and that too in a very ‘I don’t care’ manner. I used to discuss this with one of my colleagues and she said, even she was angry with this. But, even she didn’t wore helmet. Even then she skipped helmets. One of my biker friend explained me the importance of helmets and personal safety during riding. He always says that helmet is as important as fuel during riding. But here I see people are totally forgetting that fact.

None of my colleagues have ever been seen wearing helmets, and I care about them and now will be worried about their safety. My biker friend also mentioned a good quality ISI 900 helmet for better protection.

Coming back to the hideous experience of hearing the news of a student’s death, it shook my core. Adarsh, a bright kid, just passed 10th board exams and was here this morning with two of his friends to collect their TCs and Pass Certificates. Who would have known that a horrible incident is waiting for us?

He got an urgent call from his friend, whose bike he has borrowed and rushed out. And here my fingers are shaking… he faced a major accident where he got hit by rocks and lost his precious life. I wish I could have asked him to go safely, drive slowly, or wait till 18 to drive properly. But, I couldnot do anything. Some of my colleagues went to the accident spot, but I just couldnot. I couldnot be that brave. I want to remember his smiling and bright face full of hopes. I was asked to write the condolence message for the parents, and my fingers were not moving. I refused initially, then I typed something reluctantly. No amount of condolence could recover the loss his parents had suffered.

Who is to be blamed for this? The bad roads, the rocks, the bike, absence of helmet, parents?? Who? Will blaming anyone bring back the young life? Will it bring back the possibilities and bright future of the kid? Will it bring back the sanity of his parents, who after losing their only child were not in a proper emotional condition? Lives lost cannot be brought back, no matter how hard we try. We can instead change our ways, our strategies, and our habits. If from tomorrow all my colleagues start wearing helmets, may be other people will follow. May be they will feel a little uncomfortable initially, but their families will feel safe. And as for the kids, until they know how to ride properly and have a valid license, they should not be allowed to touch a bike. There is more beauty in life than in death. Hope this sacrifice doesnot go to waste, and people in this beautiful city start giving importance to their safety and restrict their kids a little more.

Moumita