MP Parimal Suklabaidya flags off mega road safety bike rally on Army Day

A strong message of discipline and responsibility went out from Masimpur Military Station on Thursday (January 15) as Indian Army Day became the backdrop for a major public safety initiative in Silchar. Blending patriotism with civic duty, a road safety awareness movement was launched to remind citizens that protecting lives on roads is as important as safeguarding the nation’s borders.

On the occasion of Indian Army Day, Silchar Lok Sabha MP Parimal Suklabaidya flagged off a Mega Road Safety Awareness Bike Rally titled Pather Barta Pathe Yatra from Masimpur Military Station. The rally marked the beginning of a month-long road safety awareness campaign across the Silchar Lok Sabha constituency as part of National Road Safety Month 2026. The initiative follows the appeal of Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, who called upon Members of Parliament to lead road safety drives in their constituencies.

What drew particular attention was the MP’s decision to personally take part in the campaign. At 68 years of age, Suklabaidya announced that he would himself ride across all 162 Gaon Panchayats under the constituency during the month-long programme. He said his participation was meant to set an example and show that road safety is not just a government message but a shared responsibility that demands personal commitment.

Highlighting the awareness aspect of the campaign, the MP said that road accidents in India claim more than 1.7 lakh lives every year, with most victims belonging to the 18 to 45 age group. He added that road accidents cause an estimated economic loss of nearly three per cent of the country’s GDP. Calling road accidents a silent pandemic, he said the scale of loss often goes unnoticed despite the devastating impact on families and society.

The MP stressed that road safety is crucial because most accidents are preventable. He said that simple habits such as wearing helmets, using seat belts, following speed limits and obeying traffic signals can save thousands of lives every year. According to him, discipline should not be limited to the armed forces but must also be reflected in how citizens behave on public roads.

The campaign will cover 162 Gaon Panchayats, three municipal areas and one municipal corporation under the Silchar Lok Sabha constituency. It will include awareness programmes in schools, colleges, government offices and local communities. Training on first response during road accidents and awareness about the Good Samaritan Law will also be provided. The initiative builds on the earlier Path Suraksha Jan Andolan carried out across 35 districts of Assam in 2023 and 2024, and will conclude with a detailed report on accident-prone areas to be submitted to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

Indian Army Day is observed annually on January 15 to commemorate a significant milestone in India’s military history. On this day in 1949, General K. M. Cariappa took over as the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, succeeding General Sir Francis Roy Bucher of the British Army. The occasion symbolises the transfer of command of the Indian Army from British to Indian leadership and stands as a reminder of India’s sovereignty, unity and self-reliance.