On the auspicious occasion of Raksha Purnima, the State Transport Authority (STA), Odisha, organised a unique road safety awareness campaign, linking the spirit of Rakhi as a “Promise of Safety” with responsible driving practices.
The programme, held at Esplanade Mall in Bhubaneswar, saw Transport Commissioner Amitabh Thakur felicitate law‑abiding drivers with appreciation certificates and gifts. Two‑wheeler riders wearing helmets, car drivers using seat belts, and motorists carrying valid documents were recognised for their compliance with traffic rules.
Officials said that while enforcement against violators is routine, publicly appreciating responsible road users is expected to inspire others to follow rules and strengthen the culture of road safety across the state.
Road safety experts Subrat Nanda and Amiyabala Parida attended as guests, while members of Prajapita Brahma Kumaris extended their support to the initiative. Senior officers including Additional Transport Commissioners Diptiranjan Patra and Samarendra Patnaik, Joint Commissioners Bikash Choudhury and Ramanivas Sirkha, senior police officer Umakanta Pradhan, and Bhubaneswar RTOs Manas Mishra and Pranaya Mishra were present.
The department appealed to citizens to wear helmets, use seat belts, avoid drunken driving, and act as responsible road users, reinforcing the campaign’s message that road safety is a collective promise of protection.
