By Mayukh Goswami

Mangaldai: Sleuths of public awareness programmes including walkathon, women  bike rally, felicitation to prominent stake holders, rose campaign against traffic violators, free medical camp for commercial drivers etc has marked the celebration of the 31st National Road Safety Week under the aegis of the Darrang District Transport Department. Mangaldai Legislator Gurujyoti Das on Sunday ceremonially launched the week long programme in a largely attended public function here at the campus of the District Transport Office. The inaugural function which began with the welcome speech by District Transport Officer, Kumar Sanjib Krishna also witnessed speeches from several invited guests including Additional Deputy Commissioner Navajyoti Oja, Principal of Kharupetia College Dr Budhin Ch Hazarika, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mamoni Hazarika, Senior journalist and international level marathon runner Sagar Rai Deka among others. The objectives of the celebration was explained by Padma Lochan Hazarika, MVI. Earlier on the day an awareness walkathon as well as an bike rally led by women bikers have been taken out through out the Mangaldai. People from different walk of life including youths and women took part in the Walkathon which was flagged by internationally acclaimed veteran masters athlete Biren Medhi in presence of renowned industrialist Mukul Ch Deka and other prominent local persons. As a part of this celebration the organizers on Saturday offered public felicitation to prominent stakeholders like doctor, traffic policeman and samaritans as Road Safety Champions where as in a different way of giving lesson to traffic violators, the transport officials greeted such defaulters with a piece of rose in stead of imposing penalty . A free medical and vision check up camp for commercial drivers was also held in this connection. Several other programmes have also been listed in the celebration which will be continuee till Jan 17 next.