The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), in collaboration with Delhi Traffic Police, Yamaha Motor India Pvt. Ltd., and Hindustan Times, organized the Annual Principals’ Meet 2026 in Delhi under the theme “Bridging the Gap: Connecting Road Awareness with Education.” The initiative focused on strengthening the connection between education and responsible road behaviour by bringing together school leaders and key stakeholders.
The event was conducted as part of SIAM’s ‘सुरक्षित सफर (Safe Journey)’ initiative, which aims to promote road safety awareness among students through structured engagement with schools. Supported by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contributions from SIAM member companies, the program continues to expand its outreach and impact across educational institutions.
More than 400 school principals from across Delhi-NCR attended the meet, reaffirming their commitment to integrating road safety education into school environments. The gathering provided a platform for discussions on best practices, awareness programs, and collaborative approaches to instill safe road habits among students from an early age.
Through initiatives like the Annual Principals’ Meet, SIAM aims to create long-term behavioural change by empowering educators to play an active role in promoting responsible road usage and enhancing safety awareness among young learners.
Sharing his perspective, Mr. Prashant Banerjee, Executive Director, SIAM, said, “India has already adopted the best of vehicle technologies, including active and passive safety systems, but road accident fatalities are still rising. What has been found is that this is largely a behavioral aspect which needs to be controlled. Enforcement alone cannot solve the issue. It is education that brings humility, politeness, and responsibility, and that is something we do not see on roads today. Through our initiative with Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, we have already reached over one lakh students with structured road safety modules, and we intend to expand this further.”
On this occasion Chief Guest, Mr. Sanjay Bandopadhyaya, Member, Supreme Court Committee on Road Safety, Government of India, said, “As you know, most deaths take place because of not wearing helmets, seatbelts, and due to over-speeding. The maximum number of fatalities are among pedestrians and two-wheeler users. Students must be taught from a younger age so that they become responsible citizens and influence their families as well. Enforcement combined with education is the most effective and economical way to reduce fatalities. With schools, industry, media, and enforcement agencies coming together, we can ensure a significant reduction in accidents and make our roads much safer.”
On the occasion, Guest of Honour Ms Vijayanta Arya, Additional Commissioner of Police – Traffic. Delhi Police, said, “Every day, we witness the realities of the road and the consequences of negligence and momentary lapses in judgment. Road safety cannot be achieved through enforcement alone, because the decision ultimately rests with the people using the road. This is where schools become central to the solution. While enforcement acts as a deterrent, education creates understanding, and together they can bring far more sustainable outcomes in improving road safety”
Mr. S. Kumar, Vice President, India Yamaha Motor Pvt Ltd, said, “Road safety is not just an institutional priority for us; it is a responsibility linked to the communities we serve and the products we create. Safe roads are ultimately the result of informed, aware, and responsible users. If we want to create lasting change, we must begin at the school level, where awareness can be translated into values and eventually into lifelong habits. From an industry perspective, we see a critical opportunity to promote road safety through school-level awareness and engagement.”
In his address at the Inaugural Session of The Annual Principal Meet 2026 – Principals’ Leadership Forum, Mr Madhur Agrawal, Delhi Circulation Head, Hindustan Times, said, “In a world that is evolving faster than ever before, forums like this become essential spaces for reflection and renewal. They allow us to pause, exchange ideas, challenge perspectives, and collectively reimagine the future of education. Today is not just about listening; it is about connecting, collaborating, and carrying forward insights that can make a real difference in our schools.”
Sharing his perspective on the occasion, Mr. Indra Narayan Das, National Circulation Head, Hindustan Times, said, “We care for the safety of the next generation. SIAM champions their physical safety on the roads, working tirelessly to ensure that every journey our children undertake is a safer one, and we try to safeguard their intellectual and emotional journeys by nurturing awareness, responsibility, and informed thinking. As I look at this gathering of close to 400 principals, I am reminded that this room carries a collective educational experience of over 10,000 years. That is not just experience; it is legacy, and it reflects the power of educators in shaping responsible and aware future citizens.”
During the event, SIAM also felicitated schools for their outstanding contribution to promoting road safety awareness among students. Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, New Delhi, was honored as the School of the Year (2025–26) for Promoting Road Safety Awareness, followed by Mount Abu Public School, Rohini Sec-5, New Delhi, as the 1st Runner Up, and Greenway Modern Sr. Sec. School, Dilshad Garden, New Delhi, as the 2nd Runner Up, recognizing their commendable efforts in fostering road safety awareness among students and the wider community.
Aligned with the Government of India’s ‘Sadak Suraksha, Jeevan Raksha’ vision, SIAM continues to strengthen its efforts toward building a culture of road safety and responsible mobility among young citizens.
