Abhimanu Gaud-another prey of the drunk driving virus.

Abhimanu Gaud- the late corporal who lost his life in Kolkata recently not in a war but because someone was over speeding, broke all barriers in an inebriated state. Footage shows how he went past all barriers where army personnel were practising parade for the Republic Day. The road was cordoned off and inspite of that the guy decided to break it. We have his friend who was also part of his booze party confirming that they asked him not to drive but this guy decided not to. The other friends were asked not to enter the cordoned off area which they complied but this guy didn't. He sped from the area and even got help from the police how and which way to flee. 

Incidentally this guy is the son of a local politician of the ruling party who along with his son went on a run. They were not to be found. Local police failed to nab them immediately and when voices arose; when protests were galore they were found and arrested. 

This is not the first time we hear headlines of hit and run cases of drunk-driving. This has happened numerous times, we have examples of celebrities too. Drunk-driving has proved to be fatal countless times but we don't learn. It was sad of the police to bail this guy out instead of arresting him on the spot. Why the police failed to stop him and helped him flee? Weren't they aware one day or the other he will be caught? Why immediate steps were not taken by the government? Is it because the police were afraid of the political leader whose wrath they may have to face or the government felt that they are going to loose on their vote banks?

Sambia Sohrab: that's the name of the killer. My Facebook was rampant of photos of this guy and the clip of the CCTV footage of his zooming Audi. How come a 28 year old lad drives a vehicle like Audi? Did he earn it or was it gifted by his father. Did his father buy it through honest means or was it the other way round. 

I remember when I went to USA a couple of years back for a training sponsored by the client; we went to one of our client’s house for dinner. We were accompanied by another man from the same team, He was offered drinks, and he refused. My colleague from India who was with me took the offer and I was a teetotaller. Why did this man refuse the drink? He had to drive back home his wife, us and himself. That's the thought, should be embedded in every one’s mind. If I have to drink outside my home I should make sure that I am not driving, I will ask my friends to drop me if they are sober or else take a taxi. 

  

The Corporal who lost his life doesn't drive an Audi, instead he makes sure that the city is safe. I really hope that his perpetrator gets his correct due and no political influence is paid heed to by the judiciary. 

Why can’t the government start implementing some strict rules across the country against drunken driving? 

A report from Times of India: 

 In a bid to check drunkdriving, the road transport ministry is pushing for five-fold increase in finefor first-time offenders while repeat offence will attract stiffer penaltybesides imprisonment ranging from six months to one year and impounding of thevehicle for one year.These will form part of the rules once the proposed Road Transport and SafetyBill become law. The road transport ministry has circulated the latest versionof the proposed bill vetted by the law ministry to all state governments fortheir feedback.At present, the fine is up to Rs 2,000 or jail up to six months for first drunkdriving offence. The new provision proposes Rs 10,000 fine for first timeoffenders.

Rs 2000, that's it and we are still waiting for the amount of Rs 10000 to be accepted by all states!!! Why such a lackadaisical attitude against implementing such rules. Why so much time wasted. So many lives lost. I am sure this is not just one case, there are many. Surprising is hit and run cases have increased but conviction rates have decreased. 

There is a strict law about wearing helmets in Kolkata which I haven't seen much anywhere, which I have appreciated every time when I tell this to my colleagues in my present place of stay. Then why not against over speeding and drunk driving???? When will our governments start taking prompt actions and instead of fearing for their vote banks?