Bangaloreans looking for solitude know for sure, they will not find it on the road. While there have been many awareness drives, motorists hardly seem to be able to avoid the honk. Tired of the noise, Sreerekha Kaimal and Pradeep Nair, both media professionals, put down their foot and initiated a campaign 'No, Horn Please' recently.
And their concept is inclusive; involving motorists. The duo came up with the idea of printed car stickers with the message of no honking, both in English and Kannada.
So whoever puts the sticker on their car becomes an initiator of sorts since he cannot honk himself as he is supporting the cause and all the others around him also get involved.
"Honking is a major menace on Indian roads and Bangalore is no exception. Often, honking is either unnecessary, or it serves no purpose. We all crib about it. But how many of us have looked at ourselves and made a conscious decision not to blare the horn, except when it is really necessary?" asks Sreerekha Kaimal.
Their campaign is being taken forward without any ballyhoo.
A Facebook page has been created as part of the campaign to create awareness on the ill effects of honking, and to put an end to the practice on Bangalore roads. "The aim is to ensure calm and stress-free driving," says Pradeep.
To fund the initiative, the duo came up with a simple strategy. The sticker doubles up as an advertising platform for companies, who can shell out a minimum amount to put their logo on the sticker.
"We had this concept in our mind for a long time, thanks to the increasing levels of noise in the city. Even if you close your doors, the noise seeps in. Now, through these stickers we are trying to create a ripple. It will take a long time but there will be a difference," says Pradeep.
He adds that Indians honk more as they have been used to it since childhood.
"Even on trucks you read, 'Horn Ok Please'. People are aware of the ill effects of honking like they know the ill effects of throwing garbage but the irony is that they still do it. For example, on MG road there is no need to honk but it is one of the noisiest places in Bangalore. People have to make a conscious effort to stop," he says.
The stickers are right now being distributed free of cost at various malls in the city.
The duo is also contacting driving schools so that the problem can be addressed right at the learning stages.