Doha, Qatar: The Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF) conducted a highly successful Awareness Session on Safe Driving on Sunday, September 29, 2024, at the ICBF Kanjani Hall. Targeting delivery bike riders as well as limousine and taxi drivers, the event attracted over 180 participants from the transportation and delivery sectors.

The session focused on enhancing driving skills and promoting road safety, providing essential safety tips aimed at fostering a safer community on Qatar's roads. In today’s fast-paced environment, the importance of road safety was a central theme of the event.

ICBF Secretary and event coordinator, T K Muhammed Kunhi, addressed the attendees, emphasizing the critical nature of safe driving practices for professionals constantly on the move. He pointed out that the increasing demands on delivery personnel should never compromise their safety.

ICBF President Shanavas Bava highlighted the challenges faced by food delivery riders, particularly the pressure to meet delivery deadlines. He stressed that personal safety should always take precedence over speed and urgency.

The Chief Guest, Eish Singhal, First Secretary of the Embassy of India, expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) for its support of such vital initiatives for the expatriate community. He underscored the positive impact of these awareness sessions on improving road safety in Qatar, commending ICBF for its proactive approach.

First Lt. Hamad Salim Al Nahha, a Traffic Awareness Officer from MOI, praised the participating companies and reiterated the ministry's commitment to raising safety standards on Qatar's roads. He noted that participants left the session with a deeper understanding of traffic rules and the importance of a safety culture. The session included a bilingual presentation in Hindi and English, followed by an interactive Q&A segment.

The event was hosted by ICBF General Secretary Varkey Boban and concluded with a vote of thanks from ICBF Vice President Deepak Shetty. A special highlight of the event was the recognition of ten exemplary individuals-five accident-free bike riders and five drivers-who were awarded certificates for their impeccable driving records.

The successful coordination of the event was overseen by ICBF Managing Committee members Zareena Ahad, Neelambari Sushanth, Abdul Raoof Kondotty, and Shankar Goud.