Facts that will raise your Eyebrows

THE REALITY CHECK: LET’S CONFRONT THE FACTS - India loses more than 2.5 lakh lives every year

Art of Safe Living?

The truth that’s hardest to admit:

It is not just the government or authorities who are responsible. It is you. It is me. It is all of us.

In a nation of over 1.4 billion people, a safety culture cannot be imposed — it must be practiced, internalized, and lived by every individual. From how we wire our homes, to how we commute, to how we train our children — safety must be a shared civic duty.

Because real change will only come when every Indian sees safety not as a regulation, but as a responsibility. India loses more than 2.5 lakh lives every year

THE REAL CRISIS: A MISSING CULTURE OF SAFETY

The Real Numbers. Let’s look beyond the headlines andconfront the reality:

Let’s strip away the headlines and confront the facts:

• 1.73 lakh road deaths in 2023 — the highest ever recorded. That’s 474deaths per day. (Source: Ministry of Road Transport & Highways, MoRTH Annual Report 2023
• 25,000+ deaths annually from fire and electrical incidents, mostlycaused by substandard wiring, non-compliant infrastructure, and lack ofawareness. Source: NCRB – Accidental Deaths & Suicides Report
• Over 2,000 lives lost each year to floods, landslides, and monsoon-related disasters. Source: National Disaster Management Authority, 2023
• Nearly 50,000 industrial and construction-related deaths annually, often involving avoidable hazards. LO estimates and Labour Bureau data

That’s 2.5+ lakh preventable deaths annually — the equivalent of losing the entire population of a town every year.

Culture of safety.

We treat safety like an afterthought — something to look at after a firebreaks out, after a flood strikes, after someone dies on the road.We react to tragedy, but rarely prepare to prevent it.

ART OF SAFE LIVING

Educational Institutions: Catalysts for Change

To instill a safety-first mindset, educational institutions must play a pivotal role:

• Curriculum Integration: Incorporate safety education, including road safety,fire hazards, and emergency response, into school syllabi from an early age.
• Practical Training: Conduct regular drills and workshops on first aid,evacuation procedures, and disaster preparedness.
• Student Engagement: Establish safety clubs and committees to promotepeer-led initiatives and awareness campaigns.

By embedding safety principles within the educational framework, we cannurture a generation that values and practices safety in daily life.

Embracing the 'Art of Safe Living'

Adopting a safety-centric lifestyle involves:

• Home Safety Audits: Regularly inspect electrical wiring, gas connections, andfire safety equipment. Focus on secure environments, safe home practices,and emergency preparedness.
• At work , follow safe work practices, use proper PPE, and conduct regularinspections
• While traveling , research your destination, plan secure accommodation, andbe mindful of your surroundings.
• Responsible Commuting: Adhere to traffic rules, wear appropriate safety gear,and avoid distractions while driving.
• Emergency Preparedness: Keep first aid kits accessible and ensure all familymembers are trained in basic emergency response.
• Community Participation: Engage in local safety initiatives and report hazardsto authorities promptly.

A Collective Call to Action

By making safety a habitual practice, we not only protect ourselves but alsocontribute to a safer society. The path to a safer India requires:

• Government Accountability: Strengthen enforcement of safety regulationsand invest in infrastructure improvements.
• Corporate Responsibility: Implement workplace safety protocols andconduct regular employee training.
• Public Engagement: Foster a community-driven approach to safety,encouraging vigilance and proactive behavior.

Safety is not merely a regulatory requirement; it's a shared value that mustpermeate every facet of our lives.

As we chase economic milestones, build world-class infrastructure, and dreamof a $5 trillion economy, we must ask ourselves:

What is the worth of progress if it cannot protect lives? Real nation-buildingdoesn’t just happen in Parliament or policy papers. It happens in every homethat installs a smoke alarm, in every worker who wears a helmet, in every citizenwho learns CPR, and in every school that trains children for emergencies.

SAFETY IS NATION - BUILDING IN ACTION

Safety is not a slogan. It is patriotism in practice. It is how we protect ourfamilies, our colleagues, our communities — and ultimately, our nation’s mostvaluable asset: its people.

So let us stop waiting for change.

Let us be the change that saves lives. Let us make the Art of Safe Living a way oflife — Because every life saved is a step forward for India. Because every act ofsafety is an act of service to the nation.

Commit today — not just to safety, but to the idea that practicing safety isbuilding the India we dream of.

Stay safe — because every life matters, and even one lost is too great a cost.

About the Author:

K.P. Dominic is a seasoned expert in Fire, Life Safety, and Infrastructure Protection, with over 36years of industry leadership. He is the Founder of organizations like NFE, FOCUS, and FSAI

As the Managing Director of Blue and Gray and the driving force behind Lifeline Equipment International, Dominic champions affordable evacuation solutions to ensure no one is left behindduring emergencies. His mission is simple: Safer buildings. Inclusive evacuation. Better lives.