News18 Network and Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles have announced that October 23 will be celebrated as ‘National Saarthi Diwas’ to recognise truck drivers and their contribution to India’s transport and logistics sector. The announcement was made at the ‘Desh Ke Super Saarthi’ conclave in Delhi yesterday.

According to a News18 press release, the initiative aims to bring greater attention to truck drivers’ safety, health, wellbeing and dignity.

The conclave brought together government representatives, industry leaders and transport sector stakeholders to discuss ways to improve drivers’ working conditions, promote road safety and make the logistics sector more inclusive.

Ajay Tamta, Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, attended the event as the chief guest. He highlighted the challenges truck drivers face due to long hours on the road and stressed the need for adequate rest and access to medical facilities.

He also highlighted the importance of looking after drivers’ overall health, including their eyesight, and recognising their contribution to the country.

Tamta also sought details about the campaign’s work over the years, plans for activities on ‘National Saarthi Diwas’ and initiatives planned for truck drivers throughout the year.

The conclave featured two panel discussions on driver welfare, safety and business growth. The first session, titled ‘Efficiency × Empathy = Real Progress: Building a Safer, More Inclusive and Dignified Future for India’s Saarthis’, featured Dr Veni Mathur, Vice-Chairperson of CILT; Ramesh Agarwal, Patron and Chairman, Welfare and Wellbeing of Drivers, AITWA; Mohit Kapoor, Chair, Projects and Events Committee, Warehousing Association of India; Dr Harish Sabharwal, President, AIMTC; and S. Tajinder Singh, National President, Parivahan Morcha.

The second session, titled ‘Efficiency × Empathy = Real Progress: Driving Business Growth While Putting the Saarthi First’, focused on how driver welfare can support business performance. The panel included Shweta Goela, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Safexpress; Deepak Gautam, Zonal Manager, Trucks and Buses, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles; Dr Sameer Bhatnagar of Mobility and Solutions, KPMG; Sankalp Sondhi, Executive Vice President, Integral Logistics Services; Ravi P. Chaturvedi, Executive Director, CONCOR; and Manu Gupta, Owner, Triumph Auto Pvt. Ltd.

Actor, writer and producer Randeep Hooda also joined a fireside chat titled ‘Finding Dignity in Every Journey’. He spoke about the opportunity to explore the lives and experiences of truck drivers through films and bring their contribution to wider public attention.

Through the ‘Desh Ke Super Saarthi’ campaign, News18 Network and Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles aim to highlight the important role truck drivers play in keeping India’s goods and supply chains moving.