Kerala MVD Honors Elderly Woman Who Blocked Scooter on Footpath
The Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) in Kozhikode took a remarkable step on Friday by felicitating Prabhavati Amma, an elderly woman whose courageous act of blocking a two-wheeler rider attempting to take a shortcut through a footpath captured widespread attention after a video went viral. Department officials personally visited the woman to express their appreciation, presenting her with a shawl in recognition of her stern stand against traffic violations.
Viral Confrontation Near Eranhipalam Traffic Signal
The incident unfolded near the Eranhipalam traffic signal in Kozhikode, where Prabhavati was walking on the footpath. She noticed a scooter driver attempting to bypass the signal by driving onto the pedestrian pathway. Demonstrating remarkable resolve, she immediately stopped the vehicle. Even when the frustrated rider tried to move forward, she refused to step aside, using her legs to block the scooter's path.
The video footage clearly shows her standing her ground and preventing the man from proceeding. When the rider attempted to advance once more, Prabhavati took out her mobile phone to record the situation, a move that prompted the rider to retreat and push his vehicle backward onto the road.
Unaware Recording and Social Media Praise
Interestingly, Prabhavati was completely unaware that the entire confrontation was being filmed from a nearby building. At the end of the video, she realized she was being recorded and responded with a thumbs-up gesture, seemingly acknowledging the appreciation of those capturing the moment. The video quickly went viral on social media platforms, with countless users praising the elderly woman's bravery and commitment to pedestrian safety.
The MVD had previously posted the video on their Facebook page on Thursday, seeking assistance to identify the woman. This public appeal ultimately led to the department locating and honoring her.
MVD's Response and Legal Action
After the felicitation ceremony, an MVD official humorously requested more images of such individuals if available. Prabhavati Amma replied with equal humor, stating she had no more pictures and that her phone wasn't particularly good. Officials encouraged her to continue her vigilant work and confirmed they had identified the rider in the video, with legal action being initiated against him.
Riding vehicles on footpaths designated for pedestrians is a punishable offense, emphasized the officials, highlighting the importance of adhering to traffic regulations for public safety.
