Azharuddin, Dr. Nida Fatima Hazari, and senior officials join hands to raise awareness among students at Little Flower High School, Hyderabad
Hyderabad: The message was clear and heartfelt — “Speed thrills, but kills.” At a moving and educative event held at Little Flower High School, Abids, the Youth Against Speed campaign observed Road Safety Day, reaffirming its decade-long commitment to spreading awareness among young citizens about the life-threatening dangers of overspeeding and reckless driving.
The initiative, founded by senior politician and social activist Khaleequr Rahman in 2011 after losing his 16-year-old son Ajmal and 19-year-old nephew Ayaz in a tragic road accident on Hyderabad’s Outer Ring Road, has since become one of the city’s most consistent and compassionate voices for road safety.
This year’s observance brought together a panel of distinguished guests, including former Indian cricket captain Mohammed Azharuddin, Dr. Nida Fatima Hazari — world-renowned nutritionist, psychologist, and entrepreneur, Mr. Ajay Mishra, IAS (Retd.), former Special Chief Secretary to the Government of Telangana, Dr. Ashish Chauhan, Senior Consultant at Continental Hospital, and Mr. Shafiuddin Ajaz, noted educationist.
The guests were warmly received in a traditional manner by the school’s Principal Rev. Bro. Anthony, Ms. Deepti Jaiswal, and the students. The school campus resonated with enthusiasm as students welcomed the dignitaries holding placards promoting safe driving and responsible road behavior.
In his inaugural address, Rev. Bro. Anthony highlighted the urgent need to inculcate road safety values from a young age. “Education must go beyond textbooks — it must teach our children the value of life and the importance of care on the roads,” he said, extending his gratitude to Youth Against Speed for leading a cause rooted in compassion and public responsibility.
Taking the stage, Mohammed Azharuddin — who also lost his son Ayaz in the same accident — spoke from the heart. “Life can change in a single moment of carelessness,” he told the students. “Speed is not courage, it’s danger. True character lies in discipline, patience, and respect for life — yours and others’.” His words, filled with personal emotion, drew a silent reflection among the young audience.
Dr. Nida Fatima Hazari, a leading voice in holistic health and youth wellness, spoke about how physical and mental well-being are interconnected with responsible living. “A nutritious diet, proper sleep, and regular exercise help build focus and judgment — qualities essential not only in academics but also in daily life, including how we behave on the roads,” she said. Dr. Hazari also presented her innovative NFH Smart Plate concept, designed to promote balanced eating and healthier lifestyles among youth.
Mr. Ajay Mishra, IAS (Retd.), shared alarming national and state-level statistics on road accidents, underscoring that the majority involve young drivers. He stressed that awareness, enforcement, and empathy must work together to reduce fatalities. “Every accident avoided is a family saved from lifelong sorrow,” he remarked.
Dr. Ashish Chauhan, Senior Consultant at Continental Hospital, spoke about emergency care and the role of first responders. He emphasized the “golden hour” in saving lives and strongly advocated for the ‘No Helmet, No Petrol’ policy. “Helmets save lives — it’s not optional, it’s essential. The government must consider making this rule a nationwide mandate,” he urged.
Founder Khaleequr Rahman, visibly emotional, recalled the painful moments that led to the birth of the Youth Against Speed campaign. “I lost two young lives in my family to speed — and with them, a part of myself. No family should go through that suffering again. Through this movement, I wish to turn our grief into awareness and action,” he said.
The event concluded with the Road Safety Oath administered by Rev. Bro. Anthony, as hundreds of students pledged to follow traffic rules, wear helmets and seatbelts, never use mobile phones while driving, and act as Good Samaritans whenever they witness an accident.
For over a decade, Youth Against Speed has been a beacon of advocacy — conducting campaigns, school awareness drives, and public events across Hyderabad to foster a culture of responsibility among the youth. What began as a personal mission has now evolved into a community movement, reminding everyone that “Safety on the roads begins with you.”
Source: Press Release
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