Priyank Singh
Nominated For : Helping a vulnerable community lead a better life.
Initiative - Set up an NGO for truck drivers and their families welfare
Nominated For : Helping a vulnerable community lead a better life.
Initiative - Set up an NGO for truck drivers and their families welfare
Stability eludes nomadic and ever-wandering truck drivers until they finally bid adieu to the steering. While NGOs and individuals have been fighting for the rights of workers in the unorganised sector, little has been done for the community of truckers who spend most of their lives on the highways, yearning for a slice of decent family life.
Their extreme situation, however, moved 24-year-old Priyank Singh. He has set up an NGO, named Chalak, to help truck drivers and their families lead a quality life and bring happiness they deserve.
"They are vulnerable, socially and economically. I have travelled 300 km in a day when I was researching about them and their issues," says Priyank, a Satellite resident, who is pursuing his Master in Social Work at Anand Institute of Social Work (AISW).
"I still travel hundreds of km to gather as much information as possible," he chuckles.
"I was studying human rights in Delhi. One night, my friends and I were at a dhaba where a group of truck drivers were discussing their problems. The interaction with them provided me an insight into their miserable lives. I spent a restless night. Their haplessness kept hounding me. I was unable to seize the thought of their children and wives' pitiable lives," says Priyank who holds a BA in political science of Delhi University.
After this chance encounter, Priyank began researching about truck drivers. But he could hardly find any NGO, government agency or group committed to their welfare. This was the time when he started dreaming of an informal group for the benefit of truck drivers. He came to the city and established his NGO.
"It was my dad's idea to set up an informal group and name it. My mother suggested me to think in terms of their families, too," says Priyank who has done his schooling at HBK.
His parents, Ranendra Pratak and Pushpa Singh, recall how he as a child was sensitive to the plight of the poor in their area and would offer them food and woollen clothes.
"My son wanted to become an IAS officer and he is still preparing for it. But as I have seen him since childhood, chances of him becoming an activist are brighter. I am happy with whatever he does as his intention is to serve society, be it by being an IAS or an activist," says a smiling and proud mother.
Even as an adolescent, Priyank was concerned about child rights and child abuse. Social work was always on his mind, says his father, an English teacher.
"I have seen few dedicated students like Priyank in my 50-year teaching career. He is committed to the cause of truck drivers who are neglected by authorities and NGOs. He has a passion to serve society. Prikank's efforts, if supported, can definitely bring a sea change in the life of truckers and their families," said AISW Director R S Agarwal.
Priyank's hard work has impressed National Aids Control Organisation Deputy Director Jignasa Shah. "Someone told me about him. I called him for a meeting. His hard work left me stunned. He is doing the work of four people. It's his dedication to the cause that has won me. I am trying to help him in whatever way I can so that truckers' life can be improved. They should be made aware of the danger of HIV, AIDS and STD," says Shah.
Their extreme situation, however, moved 24-year-old Priyank Singh. He has set up an NGO, named Chalak, to help truck drivers and their families lead a quality life and bring happiness they deserve.
"They are vulnerable, socially and economically. I have travelled 300 km in a day when I was researching about them and their issues," says Priyank, a Satellite resident, who is pursuing his Master in Social Work at Anand Institute of Social Work (AISW).
"I still travel hundreds of km to gather as much information as possible," he chuckles.
"I was studying human rights in Delhi. One night, my friends and I were at a dhaba where a group of truck drivers were discussing their problems. The interaction with them provided me an insight into their miserable lives. I spent a restless night. Their haplessness kept hounding me. I was unable to seize the thought of their children and wives' pitiable lives," says Priyank who holds a BA in political science of Delhi University.
After this chance encounter, Priyank began researching about truck drivers. But he could hardly find any NGO, government agency or group committed to their welfare. This was the time when he started dreaming of an informal group for the benefit of truck drivers. He came to the city and established his NGO.
"It was my dad's idea to set up an informal group and name it. My mother suggested me to think in terms of their families, too," says Priyank who has done his schooling at HBK.
His parents, Ranendra Pratak and Pushpa Singh, recall how he as a child was sensitive to the plight of the poor in their area and would offer them food and woollen clothes.
"My son wanted to become an IAS officer and he is still preparing for it. But as I have seen him since childhood, chances of him becoming an activist are brighter. I am happy with whatever he does as his intention is to serve society, be it by being an IAS or an activist," says a smiling and proud mother.
Even as an adolescent, Priyank was concerned about child rights and child abuse. Social work was always on his mind, says his father, an English teacher.
"I have seen few dedicated students like Priyank in my 50-year teaching career. He is committed to the cause of truck drivers who are neglected by authorities and NGOs. He has a passion to serve society. Prikank's efforts, if supported, can definitely bring a sea change in the life of truckers and their families," said AISW Director R S Agarwal.
Priyank's hard work has impressed National Aids Control Organisation Deputy Director Jignasa Shah. "Someone told me about him. I called him for a meeting. His hard work left me stunned. He is doing the work of four people. It's his dedication to the cause that has won me. I am trying to help him in whatever way I can so that truckers' life can be improved. They should be made aware of the danger of HIV, AIDS and STD," says Shah.
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