In an inspiring recognition of professional excellence and road safety, two veteran bus drivers from Pune have been honored for completing a remarkable 25-year career without a single accident, not even a minor one. Their simple yet profound advice, centered on family, mental discipline, and healthy habits, offers a crucial lesson for all drivers at a time when road accidents involving state transport buses are on the rise.
The Foundation: Family as the Ultimate Motivation
For Rajesh Ghawate, a 55-year-old driver with the Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), the core principle behind his impeccable record is not a technical secret but an emotional anchor. "If you firmly believe and trust right from the bottom of your heart that your family and loved ones are waiting for you at home, you will never make any mistakes," Ghawate revealed. He emphasized that this belief must be deeply embedded in a driver's psyche. Beyond this fundamental mindset, he stresses adherence to the basic traffic rules that every driver knows but often neglects.
The Mental Toolkit: Reading, Meditation, and Letting Go
Sashikant Bhiku Chavan (58), another award-winning driver from the Saswad depot who is set to retire soon, provided practical strategies for maintaining focus. He acknowledged that a driver's job is laden with responsibility and that personal stress from home must not enter the cabin. "A driver needs to learn the art of keeping [problems] at bay once he is seated behind the steering wheel," Chavan stated.
His personal methods include reading Marathi storybooks and magazines to divert his mind, specifically seeking out funny stories to relax. He also draws strength and lessons in concentration from reading the Bhagavad Gita. "Tricks like meditation and no bad habits have kept me focused," he added, advising young drivers to cultivate similar discipline and always be extra vigilant of smaller vehicles on the road.
Physical Discipline: Simple Food and Zero Alcohol
Both drivers highlighted the critical role of physical well-being in safe driving. Ghawate pointed to the importance of "eating simple food." Given the unpredictable meal times in a driver's tough duty schedule, he recommends light, home-cooked meals packed with vitamins and minerals. "Even one or two Bhakris with a simple Subzi should be enough," he suggested.
He issued a stern warning against alcohol consumption, noting that it severely impairs reaction time and dulls the mind. "Self-discipline is something which can't be taught," Ghawate remarked, underscoring the need for personal responsibility.
A Rising Concern and a Call for Basic Discipline
The felicitation of these drivers by Parvati MLA and Minister of State Madhuri Misal at a family event comes against a worrying backdrop. Official figures show a concerning increase in accidents involving MSRTC buses:
- 2022-23: 3,014 accidents, 343 deaths.
- 2023-24: 3,381 accidents, 421 deaths.
- 2024-25: 3,563 accidents, 470 fatalities.
Commenting on this trend, the veteran duo clarified that drivers are not always solely responsible for accidents. However, they lamented the widespread neglect of basic traffic regulations. "Simple things like driving at slow to moderate speed, taking care of other vehicles, proper overtaking, keeping a safe distance, not using mobile phones or listening to music while driving, etc, are simple rules, but are not followed these days," they said.
They identified overconfidence as a major enemy of safety. "Drivers become overconfident that nothing will happen and once this thought sets in, they should realise they are wrong," they concluded, offering their decades of experience as a testament to the power of humility, focus, and unwavering responsibility on the road.
