Date:14/02/2004 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2004/02/14/stories/2004021413570300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Students join hands for a cause

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, FEB. 13. About 40,000 people, mainly schoolchildren and their parents, formed human chains on Ring Road today as part of programmes to mark the conclusion of the Transport Department's "Courtesy Month", organised to create awareness of road rules and the need to prevent pollution caused by vehicle exhaust. About 2,500 students were taken on fun rides in 52 Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) buses painted by the artists.

The programme began on January 15 with artistes painting buses of the BMTC in front of the Vidhana Soudha.

I.M. Vittal Murthy, Transport Commissioner, said human chains were organised by the five regional transport authorities at Koramangala, Ramamurthinagar, Jayanagar, Rajajinagar, and near Jnanabharathi.

Film actor Ramesh joined the human chain near Jnanabharathi. The Minister for Tourism, J. Alexander, and the Minister for Social Welfare, A. Krishnappa, joined a human chain at Ramamurthingar. About 10,000 students formed a colourful human chain in that locality, according to Afzal Ahmed Khan, Regional Transport Officer, Indiranagar.

Mr. Vittal Murthy said the Courtesy Month involved about 70,000 students through various programmes in which artists, folk artistes, and environmentalists took part.

About 2,000 children participated in a painting competition.

Describing the Courtesy Month as a "good beginning", he hoped it would have a positive impact. The events were held on the theme, "I love my Bangalore, and it is my duty to keep it clean and tidy".

The idea of Courtesy Month was conceived to explain how actions such as unnecessary use of horns lead to the harassment of other road-users.