On Saturday, 23rd July, 2016, I attended
the “Hamare Bus Ki Baat Hai” programme, an initiative
by Tata Motors at G.D Birla Centre for
Education in Kolkata. The motto of the programme is to ensure
that school children travel safely by bus to school and back to home.
Since it
is such a noble initiative, I couldn’t stop myself from attending the programme. The sessions of the programme were very interactive and
engaging. At first, a presentation was shown to the bus staff about how they
should make sure that the school children are safe and comfortable in their
bus. Through the interesting and simple presentation, the bus staff learnt how
they should understand the needs of children and talk to them in a win-win approach.
The programme comprised of an interesting movie
presentation, simple discussions and fun games, through which the bus staff
were taught how to ensure safe travel of school children.
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| Movie presentation |
The 5
things that were mainly highlighted in the “Hamare Bus ki Baat Hai” programme are as follows:
1.
The first thing that was talked about in the session was that the bus staff
should be extremely responsible towards the school children.
2 .
The second thing that was highlighted in the session was that the bus staff,
including the bus driver must know the names of all the school children. This
will allow the bus staff to communicate with the school children easily.
 |
| Question/Answer session |
3 .
The importance of etiquette, manners and grooming was explained to the bus
staff.
4. The next thing that was
highlighted in the programme was how to handle emergencies and
accidents. The bus drivers were told to check the condition of the bus before
starting the bus. It was also told to the bus staff to carry a list of
emergency phone numbers so that they can call for help, in case an
emergency arises.
5. Finally, difficulties faced by the bus staff in
handling school children were discussed in details. Solutions were given to
each and every problem that the bus staff have to face.
 |
| Fun games |
Kudos to Tata Motors for this
wonderful initiative! They have already conducted close to 800 sessions in
schools all over India. Safe travel of school children is extremely important.
We get to hear about road accidents so frequently and therefore, I feel that
this program of enlightening the bus staff about the safe travel of children is
the need of the hour.
Moreover, this program will also help
the bus staff to interact with the children and their parents easily. When the
parents will see that the bus staff is very friendly and responsible, they can
be assured that their kids are taken care of, properly by the bus staff.
The children will also be able to
travel to school and back to home safely. They will not have any problem in the
bus because the bus staff will communicate with them properly.
What I really liked about the
“Hamare Bus Ki Baat Hai” programme was that, through
fun sessions, so many things were explained and taught to the bus staff. I am
sure that the programme was successful
in enhancing the safety skills and communication skills of the school bus staff
that day. I could really connect to the exercise and I feel that such sessions
can create a very positive change in metropolitan cities where accidents are so
frequent.
I am sure everyone will agree with
me that the safe travel of children is very essential. As responsible guardians
and citizens, we must support this initiative. Follow their Facebook
page to know more about their sessions!
You can also
visit the site of Hamare Bus Ki Baat Hai, where you can take the pledge for children’s
safe travel. This is the first thing I did after attending the program.
I've pledged for
safe travel of school children. Have you done your bit too? Pledge now: http://www.hbkbh.com/safe-travel-pledge.aspx
