Drivers bag award for accident-free driving for 33 years

MYSURU: What are the key factors required to drive safely for years? Two Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) drivers from the district who were given a national award by the Association of State Road Transport Undertakings (ASRTU) for accident-free driving for 33 years, said it is a happy family life, which kept them stress free while behind the wheels.
According to Eajaz Ahamed Sharif, a driver from Hunsur depot, and Ishaq Shariff, a driver from Sathagalli depot point out that a happy family life, stress free mind, testing the vehicle condition before starting day’s duty, treating the passengers like their family members and support by colleagues, and officials helped them ensure accident-free driving even though they drove on long routes.
Eajaz Ahmed, 59, who is due for retirement in July this year, has won a silver and gold medal for accident-free driving from KSRTC too.
Ishaq Shariff, who has served the corporation for 35 years including two years during training, has served in most parts of the state including in the erstwhile BTS in Bengaluru. Presently he is serving at Hunsur bus depot.
Eajaz Ahmed says happiness both at home and work helped him achieve excellence. He ensured higher education for all his four children who are working in the UK, West Africa, and Dubai.
Ishaq Shariff has driven on long routes like Ooty, Solapur, Belagavi etc. He says prayers and a happy family and professional life helped him during his career. “I started my driving career as a truck driver, and later joined KSRTC. In Mysuru city limits, I served on route number 223 for over 16 years. A happy, joyful family life, prayers, support from the corporation officials, etc always helped me drive safely,” says Ishaq, who has also won KSRTC’s silver and gold medals for accident-free driving.