He does not need any Chitragupta to compute the sins of people and perfectly plays Yamraj on the streets. Gaining in popularity with every passing day coupled with ramifications on traffic defaulters of Ranchi, Rajesh Kumar Singh, a constable with identification number 2626, is doubling his duty for relatively much greater cause.
“I feel good when it comes to make people understand the danger coming with defiance of traffic rules. It is a role away from what originally I have been doing so far. This is satisfying as it is connected with a noble cause and helps in saving lives of the people,” says the Yamraj, who has become a popular figure in the Capital now a days for his services extended to the Traffic Police for generating awareness about driving rules and precautions coming along.
The traffic administration of Ranchi has adopted series of innovative ideas to deal with the menace that has taken into its grip mostly youngsters and school goers. Often the unruly bike riders can be seen racing on the streets without proper protection, license or other necessary documents.
“This practice not only puts lives of the riders into danger but also of others who commute on the roads. I request such persons caught to obey rules fully. Then they plead not to repeat the mistake in future. I make them sign on an oath paper, take fine but most importantly threaten with my gada and its consequences like of Yamraj’s,” says Rajesh with grate deal of satisfaction. “In my opinion 90 per cent improvement in the attitude of the commuters has been done since the practice has been started about a week ago.
Traffic SP Karthik S, who is the brain behind the ‘challan-by- Yamraj’ idea, feels that the problem relating to traffic violations can be handled through such innovate ways. “I got the idea during my training at Musoorie. In a meeting with the DIG and DTO we discussed it and decided to implement in Ranchi. Just slapping fine to the violators would not do and what we need the most is the message that can change the mindset of the people forever. I am pleased to know that it has been received well here,” said Karthik S.
Worrying data hounds Traffic Police putting cases of crime on wheels quite high. Obviously lacking with traffic related infrastructure such as stop lines, zebra crossings, functional signals, breadth analysers and constable equipped with mechanism to chase down errant bikers; the capital see incidents of fatal accident involving often under-aged. Setting a good precedent, Traffic police had imposed a fine of Rs 450 on none other than India cricket team captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni for violating traffic rules when he visited Ranchi last.
“Keeping the intensity of traffic violations in mind, we are conducting around five such awareness drives including street play by school students in various parts of the city. Today itself, we have organised programmes in Tupudana, lalpur, CMPDI, Firayalal and Sarjana Chowk areas while two are lines up for tomorrow at New Market and AG More. The idea of Yamraj is attracting people quite easily and delivers messages about use of helmet, triple riding, use of mobile while driving and appropriate number plates,” adds Poonam lakra, Traffic DSP.
looking at its popularity and success, the administration is mulling to garner services of more ‘Yamrajs’ like Rajesh and for that it may even look beyond the police paraphernalia. Nevertheless his iconic success is limiting here only.
“My family members reside in Bihar and they are not aware that I am donning Yamraj. I guess they would have felt bad with my doing a death God,” says Rajesh with a loud laugh and feels that the Department should consider him paying additional for the additional job. “5-6 ghante dhoop me chalna padta hai sir,” the Yamraj calculates.