NEW TRAFFIC LAW
| Date :02-Aug-2019 |
FINALLY the new Motor Vehicles Bill got the nod of the Parliament with the Rajya Sabha too passing it on Wednesday. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Mr. Nitin Gadkari has been expressing concern over high number of deaths in road accidents and promised to take legal measures to curb the road rage ever since he took the charge of the ministry in the last term of the NDA Government.
A reading of the contents of the Bill shows that the new law is designed to address most of the concerns of road users like heavy penalties for drunken and rash driving, fine for driving without helmet, violation of traffic rules, holding guardians responsible for allowing underage children to drive vehicles etc. While the provisions in the law are comprehensive and well thought out, its efficacy would be proven only after strict implementation. In this regard there is so much to learn from other countries where citizens have become partners in the implementation of stricter traffic regulations. And there lies the success of the law. Otherwise it will only remain on paper.
BE HAPPY
THE suggestion of introducing happiness classes across judicial academies in the country by Chief Justice of India Mr. Ranjan Gogoi merits a serious consideration not only in the judicial system but also in other spheres of the society. The CJI’s insistence on adopting the concept stems from the piling litigations in various courts which are basically a result of disputes between unhappy people. The thought that such litigations can be reduced by instilling contentment and happiness in the youth is commendable but it entails an extensive mechanism across all sections.
A start has already been made in this direction by the Delhi Government by launching “Happiness Curriculum” in its schools. Considering India’s slip in the Happiness Index from 133 to 140, the happiness classes module can go a long way in creating in a healthy society. A sense of happiness in life helps in productivity as well as overcoming trivial disputes. The HRD Ministry can easily explore the idea of introducing this concept.