I consider myself very blessed to be a doctor. My beloved patients have made my life beautiful. In the process they have given me the opportunity to learn many things. I am in health care for nearly thirty years. It’s time I talk about my unforgettable moments. It was the beginning days of my practice as a doctor. I had to attend a case of road traffic accident. It was a very bad injury with both the arms injured unsalvageable. The patient was fully conscious and alert. I could tell him with difficulty that it was impossible saving both his upper limbs.
To my surprise he told me in a very balanced voice “Doctor whatever has happened has happened. Now please do whatever best you can. Rest is God’s will He will do his best.”
It was a great practical lesson I had in my early days of the career. That person was saved and used to come to me for quite some time. Now he is out of touch.
The incident and his words keep ringing in my ears even after so many years.
What I have learnt from this incident correlates with a verse in Bhagavad Gita which goes like this :
Karmanye Vadhikaraste…..
Bhagavad Gita: Chapter 2, Verse 47
karmaṇy evādhikāras te
mā phaleṣu kadācana
mā karma-phala-hetur bhūr
mā te saṅgo ’stv akarmaṇi
This verse is from the Bhagawad Gita, where Arjuna was not willing to fight the Epic war of Mahabhaarat and Krishna explains to him to perform his duties.
Translation:
You have a right to perform your prescribed duty, but you are not entitled to the fruits of action. Never consider yourself the cause of the results of your activities, and never be attached to not doing your duty. (2)
Some Facts:
Every hour, 40 people under the age of 25 die in road accidents around the globe. According to the WHO, this is the second most important cause of death for 5 to 29 year old.
Causes of Road Accidents (1)
1.Over Speeding
2.Drunken Driving
3.Distractions to Driver
4.Red Light Jumping
5.Avoiding Safety Gears like Seat belts and Helmets
How different factors of Road contribute in Accidents:
Drivers: Over-speeding, rash driving, violation of rules, failure to understand signs, fatigue, alcohol.
Pedestrian: Carelessness, illiteracy, crossing at wrong places moving on carriageway, Jaywalkers.
Passengers: Projecting their body outside vehicle, by talking to drivers, alighting and boarding vehicle from wrong side travelling on foot boards, catching a running bus etc.
Vehicles: Failure of brakes or steering, tyre burst, insufficient headlights, overloading, projecting loads.
Road Conditions: Potholes, damaged road, eroded road merging of rural roads with highways, diversions, illegal speed breakers.
Weather conditions: Fog, snow, heavy rainfall, wind storms, hail storms.
Preventive measures for accidents:
- Education and awareness about road safety
- Strict Enforcement of Law
- Engineering:
(a) Vehicle design (b) Road infrastructure
Direct Consequences of Accidents:
1 Fatality (Death) 2. Injury 3. Property Damage
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Image Credit : Copyright free images
Ref : (1) http://jhtransport.gov.in/causes-of-road-accidents.html
(2) https://asitis.com/2/47.html
