9 year old wants to help solve traffic problems in an email to Vaada

"hello im siddarth. im 9 years old studying in Hyderabad public school. I see that there are people who are not following rules and there are many accidents occurring .i want to help you out in your program by forming a group of about 10 children. want to stand near the junctions and help out the traffic police," This is an email which has been sent to Vaada, which ought be a clarion call to all of us to awaken and act! Even a child can see thee need to improve our traffic, and the moral responsibility on all of us increases all the more when we realize that we are supposed to protect the traffic rules, guidelines so that our children and elderly have a safe driving and living experience.

"Vaada will take this email seriously and move the citizens and the government authorities with the help of the school children to urge people to drive safely. Vaada will also reach out to schools to educate children so that they inturn educate the adults about the importance of following traffic rules," said Suresh Raju, Founder member of Vaada.

They say that the child is the father of man, and the team of vaada feels that a great change can be broght in with the help of our children.

Vaada provides a simple effective traffic solution - Feb 15, 2009

On February 12, 2009, Vaada brought out a simple solution and demonstrated it to the Additional Commissioner for Roads and Transport Sri Subba Rao. For all the vehicles moving from road number 10, Jubilee Hills to join Road No 36, Jubilee hills, Vaada proposed to place cones (which act as lanes) that allow a single vehicle at a time, instead of all the vehicles coming together and clogging at the signal. The cones practically helped 12 vehicles to pass within 17 seconds whereas previously only 5-6 vehicles could pass. This bottle neck was effectively cleared with a simple solution also avoiding the need to honk at such a place. Sri Subba Rao was impressed with the solution and offered to take the simplistic solutions of Vaada for many such traffic problems in the city. And Vaada feels that demarking the lanes would reduce the accidents by almost 85% and honking by 95% and stress levels down to nothing.

Vaada gets recognition from the GHMC officials - Feb 1, 2009

 Vaada has been recognized by the GHMC officials for its innovative idea to promote safety for pedestrians...more
Vaada has approached the GHMC officials with statistics of road mishaps and volunteered to be a helping hand to the municipal office. Vaada was welcomed by Sri Subba Rao, Additional commissioner for Transport and promised to lend support for the activities taken up by Vaada.
Vaada adopted a stretch of road opposite NIMS hospital, Hyderabad in order to make it pedestrian friendly. Vaada appointed traffic wardens to help the pedestrians cross the roads. Different banners are put up in the KBR park road to educate the commuters about the importance of following traffic rules.  “This is the first visible step that Vaada is taking and we hope the media and people take a look at it and start volunteering to drive responsibly. As of now we have no funds and all the money to make this happen is pumped in by me. I look forward to more sponsorship and support from people,” pleads Suresh Raju, Founder Member of Vaada. 

Vaada featured in “Times Now” channel - Jan 15,  2009

Vaada has been featured in the television channel –Times Now – for promoting traffic awareness among the commuters of Hyderabad.

Times Now, a popular news channel has programmed the activities of Vaada. “This is a good platform to launch ourselves and create awareness among the people about the traffic safety,” adds Suresh Raju, Founder Member of Vaada.

Vaada participates in the 10 k run - Nov 30, 2008

Vaada has actively participated in the 10k run held in People’s Plaza, Necklace Road, Hyderabad on November 30, 2008.  15 members of Vaada sported bright white T-shirts with the logo and the prominent tag line which says “My promise to drive rightly” 

The 10k run, is a yearly feature in Hyderabad to promote well-being and fitness. Several corporates participate and sponsor the programme. Vaada made its presence felt with all the members running in white T-shits with the logo of Vaada. There were quite a few enquiries about Vaada and people seemed to notice that there is a dire need to have an NGO which is dedicated to traffic safety.

Vaada takes up the “Adopt a Traffic signal” campaign along with Oracle GVD 2009 - October, 2009

For the two weeks, the volunteers of Oracle along with Vaada have been working relentlessly on all weekdays for 1.5 hours at the Jubilee check post junction in an attempt to streamline traffic.

Vaada trained the volunteers about the rules and how to educate the road user. Vaada also designed the placards which communicated the basic rules of the road which can help smoothen the traffic. These placards are made simple and easy to grasp by every commuter.

The endeavor was majorly successful which was evident from the results; The teams ensured a free left lane on all sides of the junction and helped the pedestrians to cross. The level of commitment shown by the volunteers was tremendous, and it undoubtedly overcame the high level of physical and mental effort that was required.

The rewards were exciting, and came in non-conventional ways. Be it the auto rickshaw drivers reprimanding the cab drivers and other auto drivers to hold their lane, bus drivers smiling and waiting for the pedestrians to cross, the "Thank you" ,"Cheers" and "Thumbs up" from the commuters, or the chocolate box gifted by a lady to appreciate our hard work; there was an air of change around. Not to forget the traffic policemen who were encouraged to see such strong assistance from us, and the results showed in their performance as well.

While the campaign ended in 2 weeks, it is in no way the end of our efforts towards making Hyderabad roads safe. The problem is still very much there and it would need a continuous and disciplined exercise to eradicate it completely. We are tying up with other corporates to sustain the drive so we can attack the problem at the very basic level, the mental frame of a road user. Please let us know if you would like to extend your co-operation and we'll keep you posted on the updates.

Vaada donates drinking water coolers to traffic Policemen

Vaada has always acted as a guardian of traffic rules and now also plays a part as a guardian of our traffic police. From a commuters perspective the raffic police always look like those who penalize us- corrupt officials out to get at us, drop of a hat. But if you really look at life from their angle, I don’t think any of us could survive the onslaught of standing on the road amidst noise, pollution, scathing heat and annoying rule violators. And all this for a measly salary- left to be augmented by bribes or other means. Vaada takes a look at them and help their conditions. As a small gesture towards helping the traffic police, Vaada has donated 150 water bottles to traffic policemen. Please join the cause and donate as less as Rs 150/- per water bottle for our traffic guardians. Give them atleast one reason to continue in one of toughest jobs – your kindness and understanding!

Vaada acknowledged for the work by the traffic police, Banjara Hills

Vaada is now recognized by the traffic police for the good Samaritan work, which involves helping citizens have a safer drive on roads. Vaada has been leading teams to work on roads to control traffic, help teach citizens the rules of the road, while they are driving. In turn the traffic police have acknowledged the work of Vaada and invited the Founder, Suresh Raju in April 20, 2010, and felicitated him for the good work. Talking on the occasion, Suresh said that the policeman’s job is the toughest, he is braver than soldiers to face the immanent dangers of the road. He also expressed that Vaada would like to act as a channel of communication between citizens/commuters and the traffic officials. It is time for a change, we should all end the blame game and work towards the mutual safety of each other on roads.