2. It is no exaggeration to claim that Ajay Srivatasava (in orange and silver stripped half sleeves)
and safety are two sides of the same coin. He is very passionate about this critical issue. This
logistics and supply chain middle level executive, hailing from Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, seldom
found wanting when asked to interact with truck drivers whose proclivity towards road safety
is a ticklish and a least important aspect of their daily lives.

3. On the last Sunday of June 2014, Ajay working for
Australian giant Toll Global Logistics from Delhi
hopped onto the trip to Rewari, Haryana for an
interactive session with truck drivers of Mercurio
Pallia Logistics – a niche player in car carrier segment
with 700 fleet strength.
The venue was Mercurio Pallia Autoworks, situated
on the road linking NH8 to Jaipur with Rewari.
Mercurio Pallia vehicles regularly visit this mechanical
workshop site for repairs before battle ready for the
next run.
At any point of time, there would be at least 25 odd
car carriers in the so called ‘sick bay’.
Another unique feature of this facility is the
classroom to educate drivers on road safety. Ajay
was astounded by the road safety posters decorating
the walls of this classroom. These posters, mostly in
Hindi, were presented by Honda Cars in association
with Cholamandalam group, specialising in motor
insurance, as part of their endeavour to promote
road safety.

4. Asking for
directions
to
ICD, Amingaon?
Check out soon

5. Look at this poster: SADAK RUNWAY NAHI HAI… Brilliant concept. Beautifully executed.

6. Another beauty. NEENDH YA THAKAAN MEHASOOS HONE PAR … This poster deals with
tackling the life-snapping driver fatigue. When one feels sleepy, park the vehicle safely and …
“go to sleep. DON’T drive”. Tiger or Truck driver, resting is the best antidote to win over
tiredness. What’s new? Pure common sense, yes. But common sense is uncommon.

7. JAB JAL STHAR MEIN VRUDDI HO, MARG PARIVARTAN KAR APNE VIVEK KA PARICHAY DE…
Practical tips when confronted with flooded highways. Just avoid and take a detour. Such
advice comes out of actual experiences. Gyan is wisdom, not knowledge.

8. ZYADA TEJI, AAPKE JEEVAN KAAL KO JALDI
SAMAPT KARTI HAI… Rash driving
extinguishes life quickly is the message.
Meaning or purpose is conveyed simply and
beautifully. Just three visuals: a stick of
bombs, speedometer and a ticking clock.
Simply put, Ajay found these posters truly
‘first class’. Even those who are writing and
reading-challenged can make sense out of
these visuals. Considering the fact that most
of Indian truck drivers hail from less
privileged class from backward states of
Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Bihar and Uttar
Pradesh and with no formal driver training,
educating them through this visual medium
is the best option.
For an instance, mentally wipe out these
wordings and try to quiz a truck driver on
what he could make of this poster. More or
less he would mouth in his own style and
words what is spelt out there.

9. So, when the Toll Global Logistics executive got into the “Safer Roads. Safer Lives” canopy of
KRK Foundation-organized truck driver interaction, he was in his elements. Ready with his
native wit and linguistic clarity and comfort. Ajay was very clear about his objective: not to
show off his knowledge but to nudge the assembled truck drivers to be aware of highways
signages and defense and safe driving practices: wearing of safety belts, obeying traffic rules,
irrespective of traffic police was present or not. Moreover, avoid driving with an empty
stomach

10. The 90-minute session with these Mercurio Pallia Logistics truck drivers was scintilliting. Ask
Ajay why? “These bunch of drivers are well exposed and trained on road signages. Possibly,
the first set of drivers whom I am coming across who are bang on,” says he. Creating a class
room kind of atmosphere is one thing. But bringing in drivers into such a set up and educate
them is different matter. Mercurio Pallia Logistics deserves a pat on its back, feels Ajay.

11. Who deserve the full credit for keeping his flock well informed of highway signages? Yogesh
Kumar, Assistant Manager-Training @ Mercurio Pallia Logistics. Yes, the man in full sleeves on
the right side. Barring one out of 20 questions were responded positively. Drivers, by nature,
suffer from low esteem. To coax them and then educate them is a Herculean task. Above all,
when they respond rightly to questions posed, the teacher’s delight is unquantifiable. That
evening Yogesh was in that zone.

12. They come one by one. Picked up these Maruti Suzuki-gifted 1X1 ft signages and …

13. … explained what each of these signages actually meant. Rightly so.

14. No wonder, Toll Global Logistics’ Ajay Srivastava was punch pleased. As an expression of
appreciation, he gifted these truck drivers with soft pillows – sponsored by KRK Foundation as
part of its ongoing DONATE SLEEEP Campaign – enabling them to sleep a little more
comfortably inside their cabins on their delivery runs.

15. As a parting shot, Mercurio Pallia Logistics veteran driver Umesh Rana, hailing from Koderma,
Jharkhand, sought a keepsake photograph with Ajay Srivastava; the Toll Global Logistics
honcho warmly welcomed the initiative and posed with him gladly. Truck drivers’ demands
are very simple and basic: they want human touch and affection.

16. FACTIOD: It is observed that simple
value addition like cleaning, sorting
and packaging can increase income of farmers by 42.8% per kg.