Have a heart and become honk-free

A SILENT revolution has been taking place in the traffic-packed, honk-abused streets of the eastern metropolis of Kolkata in West Bengal, India.

Dipak Das, a chauffeur, has been driving around without honking for 18 years.

Das was awarded the Manush Samman at the second edition of the Manush Mela (Humanity Fair) after verification of his “no-honking” feat. Celebrated musicians, who had availed of Das’s service, vouched for his no-horns policy.

“It’s a combination of time, speed and pace. If these are synchronised, then you don’t need to honk. Without the horn blaring, you can actually drive with more concentration and safely. No matter where I have driven, in the city or across the state, it’s without honking,” said Das.

The 51-year-old’s turning point in life came about 18 years ago, while reading a poem celebrating the serenity in nature penned by famed Bengali poet, Jibanananda Das.

“I was in a very tranquil area in south Kolkata surrounded by greenery and bird calls. Jibanananda’s poetry spoke about peace, silence and being surrounded by nature. And, as I was soaking in the aura, suddenly there was a cacophony of honking horns. It broke my reverie.

“A school in the neighbourhood had just closed for the day and cars and buses were in a frenzy to take the children home. It was then that I realised I should do something.”

Since then he has never looked back. “Horn is a concept. I care for your heart.”

He hopes one day Kolkata will be hornfree. “I have a few ideas, which I want to share with the state government . For example, to control honking, if the laws could be amended to include community service rather than levying a fine for honking excessively in a horn-free zone, then we could achieve the objective.” – IANS