FREE Distribution of Helmet for Chennai Corporation School Students

As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, Kotak Mahindra Prime, in collaboration with Gramium Trust, Indian Head Injury Foundation (IHIF), Greater Chennai Corporation, and Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), conducted a Road Safety Awareness Program and Free Helmet Distribution for students of Corporation Schools at Chennai High School (CHS), No.26, Cooks Road, Perambur Barracks Road, Chennai on 7^th Jan 2025. The initiative focused on promoting road safety awareness and encouraging helmet use among students and their families. 

Key dignitaries, including Dr. P. Narayanan (Director, Gramium Trust), Dr. Chitra (Chief of Operations, Indian Head Injury Foundation - IHIF), and Inspector Mr.S. Sudalai Mani (Pulianthope Traffic Division), addressed the audience. They highlighted the importance of safety education and the role of students as change-makers. Mr. A.J. Hariharan, Secretary, ICWO: “Life is precious, and our youth are the future. This campaign transforms helmets into a fashionable, life-saving habit.” During the event, 1000 ISI-marked helmets were distributed to students from grades 5 to 8, emphasizing the importance of helmets as life-saving tools. Students were encouraged to adopt road safety habits and influence their families to do the same. 

Dr. P. Narayanan: “Making helmets accessible and promoting awareness can embed road safety as a lifelong habit.” With India recording over 1.7 lakh road fatalities in 2023 and Tamil Nadu leading the statistics with 18,074 deaths in road accidents, the need for safety measures is critical. Helmets, proven to reduce head injuries by 69% and fatalities by 42%, are often underutilized, especially in underserved communities. 

The event was graced by the presence of several distinguished dignitaries, including: Dr. P. Narayanan, Director, Gramium Trust, Mr. Gopala Krishnan, Mr. Srikanth, Mr. Annadurai, Mr. Dhanapal Raj – Gramium Team, Dr. Chitra, Chief of Operations, IHIF, Mr. S. Sudalai Mani, Inspector of Traffic, Pulianthope Sub-Division, Mr. Munnivel, Sub Inspector of Traffic, Mr. Rajkumar Muthukrishnan, Chairperson, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Chennai South, Mrs. S. Vedhavalli, Assistant Educational Officer, Greater Chennai Corporation, Mr. Rishi Vasanth Kumar, RVM Motors Pvt Ltd, Mr. Suresh Babu, Senior Area Sales Manager, Two-Wheeler Loans, Kotak Mahindra Prime, Mr.S.Rethna Kumar, Vice President – Two Wheeler  Loans, Kotak Mahindra Prime. 

The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from 600 students and 300 parents, with ICWO Volunteers Internship Placement students from different colleges were participated MSSW - Madras School of Social Work, M.O.P.  Vaishnav College for Women, SATRA School of Law, D.G. Vaishnav College, Dr.Ambedkar College of Arts & Science, SDNB Vaishnav College & XIME - Xavier Institute of Management and Entrepreneurship. 

Special thanks were extended to Mrs. S. Selvakumari and Mrs. Padmavathi, Headmistresses of CGHSS and CHS, for their efforts in bringing together students, parents, and staff to make the event a success. This initiative exemplifies the power of collaboration, aiming to instill road safety habits in young minds and communities.