Harshini Brahmavar
Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)
Udupi, Jun 17: This is the era where everyone is busy with oneself or one's own family. We rarely come across people who are willing to sacrifice their comforts and share their time for others. Still, it is heartening to see that there are a few for whom humanity gets precedence over their own professions. There are many who prove that serving the society need not be the prerogative of the haves. On Father's Day, we bring you the story of a son who was not only inpired by his father to render social service, but also took on the mantle after the latter's demise.
Aboobaker from the town, who served the cause of the school-going children for decades, was popularly known with the nickname, 'Traffic Sahib', because of the service he rendered, and as he happened to be a trusted protector of children. He breathed his last on June 23 last year. His son, Tanveer, says that his father used to render some service to the society for his own satisfaction, and that he has taken over this service for the repose of his father's soul.
"My father used to happily function at Kadiyali Junction here thrice everyday, controlling the traffic and helping school children to cross the road safely. The children liked their 'traffic uncle' very much. Even now they keep asking about the well-being of their beloved 'traffic uncle'. They want to know when will my father would be back even now. The children say they miss my father more than me," reveals Tanveer, turning emotional at the memory of his late father.
Tanveer has been doing exactly what his father used to do. Blowing a whistle and wearing an orange traffic jacket over his white shirt with an umbrella in hand during rainy season, Tanveer can be seen dedicatedly moving here and there, helping children and their parents to cross the road safely. He always takes care to hold the hands of the children shen helping them. He is no less than any efficient traffic policeman. Since the new academic year began this time, he has been at work voluntarily at Kadiyali Junction, regulating movement of vehicles and guiding the children safely across the road.
Tanveer feels that police should support his traffic control initiative. As Kadiyali road has now been turned into national highway, vehicular traffic is dense always. He is ready to control traffic at 8 am and works there till 9.45 am. He can be seen at the spot again in the evening, serving the cause of children for four to five years. During other times, he can be seen operating Star Cushion Shop which he inherited from his father.
"Everyone needs to follow traffic rules strictly. Violation of rules is tantamount to inviting danger. Traffic is always dense during the morning hours and the evening. During these periods, the police should enforce speed limits through speed controllers. Those who neglect zebra crossings should be dealt with sternly," Tanveer says.
His advice to people driving the vehicles is not to drive in a haste as every second is of utmost importance. They should be extremely careful in school zones. The road condition becomes worse during the rainy season, which needs to be kept in mind. "Therefore, like my father, young people should serve the cause of child protection like my father by engaging in such service near the schools in their areas," he feels.
The self service rendered by 'Traffic Sahib' is being continued with pride by his son for helping his late father's soul rest in peace. If such young people driven with concern for safety of children come forward to serve the society, no one needs to wait for the arrival of traffic police. For small children in particular, presence of such people provides a sense of safety as they feel they are under the care of their protector.
The locals are all praise for Tanveer, for opting to continue the service his father had been rendering during his lifetime.
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