Helping others isn’t an offense any more
More people die in road accidents than in wars. Highways are the death beds. And India is known for its killer roads. Tragedy is, one need not be in a vehicle or drive one to be an accident victim. As per the data available, on an average 56 pedestrians die every year on or by the roads. This number has increased manifold from 2014 to 2017, by a good 66 per cent. Number of vehicle commuters who died on the roads are even higher than this. More than a lakh and half people died on the roads in 2016 in about 5 lakh accidents.
The main reason for post-accident deaths is not the nature of the injury or the breaking of traffic rules, but the delay or non-availability of medical care for the injured persons. Since emergency care is almost unavailable, most injured die before they are taken to the hospital or even before treatment commences. Though some people would like to help the injured, they feel discouraged because they would be forced to appear in court to give testimony of the accident or the aftermath. The long drawn legal process where they’d be made party just because they played the good Samaritan would be of most harrowing experience in today’s world. In a way, deaths are increasing in today’s world owing to the defeat of humanity.
Karnataka govt has initiated a very significant step in this direction. President Ram Nath Kovind has given assent to a bill that would ensure legal protection to the good Samaritans in the state who help accidents victims with emergency medical care within the 'golden hour'. Named the Karnataka Good Samaritan and Medical Professional (Protection and Regulation during Emergency Situations) Bill, 2016 this would also keep those who come to assist the injured from being involved in a legal tangle or be expected to repeatedly visit the police stations over their good act. This would help people come forward to help people who may be lying injured in need of immediate help. Because to watch a person die on the road is the most painful experience for anybody who would like to help.
To blame people of being inhuman is not the complete truth. People hesitate from helping because they fear they’d be caught in an endless legal battle of having to appear in court or give their statement at the hospital and police station (repeatedly) over a medico-legal case involving road accidents. The others who never initiate to help the injured would be busy recording the whole thing on their mobiles and releasing it on social media to get more views and traffic to their video. The good Samaritan suffers at the end. There are cases of people taking the injured to a few particular hospitals of their preference and then fleece the injured of their money. They work hand in glove with private hospitals to ensure the accident survivor is not taken to a government hospital but to a private one to aid business to the agencies. One should not be surprised to see police sharing this network nexus with fleecing parties.
The new bill supports genuine souls who would want to get the injured to hospital and stay free from legal tangles. Earlier, those who rushed the injured to the hospital would have to wait till the police arrived on the scene to record their statement. They had to give their phone number and address. Now this bill would enable the helper to leave at his convenience, liberating him from the compulsions of having reveal his address or wait till the police arrive. More than anything else, the state government would help the good Samaritan with some financial benefits for his humane act. If he/she is required to appear in the court, their costs would be covered for that time. This will, most certainly, bring down the number of deaths that happen due to non-availability of medical help during the golden hour. And it is indeed a proud moment for the state since Karnataka would be taking the lead in this. Ours is the first state to introduce the bill among all other states in the country.
Like in most cases, Karnataka has taken a step towards saving lives by way of ensuring law aids this, and does not block the possibility of saving lives. Way to go!
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Eid celebrated with fervour across Karnataka
Bengaluru (PTI): Eid-ul-Fitr was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety across Karnataka on Saturday, with thousands of people offering special prayers at mosques and Eidgahs, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
In Bengaluru and other major cities, people gathered in large numbers early in the morning to offer namaz, exchanged greetings of "Eid Mubarak", and visited relatives and friends. Markets wore a festive look, with brisk business reported in garments, sweets, and accessories in the run-up to the festival.
Karnataka Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, in his message, said, "May this Eid ul-Fitr bring joy, peace, and prosperity to all our citizens celebrating around the nation. As Ramadan month concludes, let us continue to cherish the values of compassion, generosity, and unity. Eid Mubarak to everyone!"
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, who participated in a mass prayer programme, extended greetings to the Muslim community and underscored the importance of harmony and compassion.
"Praying for the welfare of humanity is essential," he said.
"Praying for the well-being of humankind is essential, and people should live with mutual love and trust, guided by humanity. India is a country of diverse religions and cultures, and in a nation marked by unity in diversity, everyone must live together harmoniously. No religion preaches hatred; all religions advocate love," the chief minister added.
Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, in a message posted on 'X', said, "May this Eid bring happiness and prosperity. Eid Mubarak!" Festive meals, including traditional delicacies such as Seviyan (vermicelli) and Biryani, were prepared in households, while charitable acts and distribution of food and alms marked the spirit of the festival across the state.
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