Restore RESPECT 4 Drivers

 Ramesh Kumar

What has Erode Venkata Ramaswamy Naicker alias *Periyar* got to do with drivers? Good question.

Periyar was India's one of the most prominent social reformist. Way back 1925, he sowed the seeds of Self Respect Movement in Tamilnadu (erstwhile the composite Madras state)  - basically to dethrone dominant brahminism and succeeded immensely. Any doubts? Look at Tamilnadu. More than half a century (since 1965), the state is ruled by one or another Dravidian party. Good. 

Not to forget is his birth date. Take a look: September 17, 1879. The day that is being observed or celebrated as DRIVERS DAY in India of late. 

Yes, I am inspired by his fight for justice. Coming back to my own yard - I mean, the existing Transport ecosystem, it is full of such 'brahmins': fleet owners, politicians, highway authorities, transporters, the entire Indian industry (OEMs) which, pardon my expression, is like the bed bug/leech that cotton onto the hard work of long haul truck drivers but treat them as "untouchable" - an old brahminical attitude: an 'holier-than-thou' approach.

Yes, taking a leaf out of Periyar's social movement, DRIVERS DUNIYA (India's FIRST & ONLY English magazine focused on long haul truck drivers) will be mounting a "RESTORE RESPECT 4 DRIVERS' movement across India.

There was a time, truck drivers were respected. Old timers will vouchsafe that fleet owner-driver bonhomie was very much there. They were a united family, so to say. But the advent of assetless transport business model topsy-turvied the ecosystem. Less said about  the zero or light asset model, the better. 

That is why, DRIVERS DUNIYA is mounting the “Restoration” andolan. 

Bringing back to life what once was the norm.

DRIVERS DUNIYA will not be asking for money, but respect. 

It will expect the entire transport ecosystem to give respect to these key supply chain players without whom, the entire 1.3 billion Indian population will go unfed, unclothed, unsheltered and unhealthy. 

DRIVERS DUNIYA is getting into a Mission mode. 

The bugle for this RESTORE RESPECT 4 DRIVERS movement will be sounded from Salem/Erode on April 3 – closer to the birth place of Periyar, my inspiration in this regard.

Join me in this social reform andolan. 

Lend your shoulders. 

Raise your voice against injustice. 

Spread the message.

Send your support to editor@driversduniya.in or text (sms or whatsapp) to 9711544181