Award for Kolkata driver for not honking in 18 years
In a world fraught with traffic snarls and honking drivers, there is a cabbie who hasn't used his car's horn in the last 18 years. Meet Dipak Das, a driver from Kolkata, who will soon be felicitated at the Manush Mela 2017 for his unusual resolve in cutting down the metro's noise pollution. Read on to know more about him.
The placard on Dipak's car states his philosophy. It says: 'Horn is a concept. I care for your heart'. Manush Mela's organizers, before shortlisting Dipak for the Manush Samman award, verified the claims of his unique behavior with the organizations he's worked with in 18 years. According to HT, renowned personalities including tabla maestro Pandit Tanmoy Bose have also testified to Dipak's no-honking policy.
Dipak wants to show others that noise pollution can be dealt with a little effort and patience. He believes not honking makes a driver more alert, and that adept drivers don't need to use horns. He sticks to his policy even when making long inter-state trips and politely tells his passengers that honking doesn't solve any problem, if urged by them to do it.
The second edition of annual Manush Mela, which felicitates people working towards a better society, will be organized in Kolkata from December 8 to 10, 2017. One of the 2016 awardees was Biva Upadhaya, who, despite financial problems, works towards rescuing and rehabilitating stray animals.
