Pune — In an era where youth programs often remain confined to theory, one initiative is steadily building a culture of responsibility on Indian roads. The Prayaas Project – Promoting Road Awareness for Youth and Safety is emerging as a structured movement — led by young trainer Mitesh Gujarathi.
A Beginning Rooted in Experience
For Mitesh, Prayaas is not conceptual — it is personal.
A life-altering accident became the turning point. Instead of retreating, he chose to act. The thought was simple but powerful: if awareness and skill training can prevent accidents, it must reach the youth early.
Working under the guidance of his father, Tejas Gujarathi, he began shaping this into a structured initiative.
“पिछले 12 वर्षों से युवाओं के विकास में सक्रिय पिता के मार्गदर्शन में, एक दुर्घटना ने सोच बदली — और वही सोच अब हजारों युवाओं तक पहुँच रही है।”
From Initiative to University Curriculum
What began as a grassroots effort has now entered the academic ecosystem.
Prayaas has been incorporated into the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) co-curricular syllabus, with:
• 2 Credits (50 Marks)
• Implemented across 2nd, 3rd, and 4th semesters
This shift marks a critical recognition — that road safety and behavioural skills are essential components of education, not optional awareness drives.
Scale and Structured Impact
The pilot phase has already demonstrated significant reach:
• 5,000+ students trained
• 25 colleges and universities participated
• 45-hour, 45-day structured training program
• 18 Safety Clubs established on campuses
These Safety Clubs are functioning as peer-driven units, ensuring continuity beyond the classroom.
A Holistic Learning Model
Prayaas stands out for its practical, multi-dimensional curriculum. Key workshops include:
• Helmet & Safety Gear Awareness
• Know Your Machine
• Driving as a Skill
• Golden Hour Response
• Future Jobs & Business Opportunities
Importantly, the program has also integrated environmental responsibility into road safety discourse, covering:
• Noise pollution awareness (honking discipline, urban stress impact)
• Air pollution linkage with vehicle usage and maintenance
This broader approach positions Prayaas not just as a safety initiative, but as a responsible mobility education program.
International Collaboration and Exposure
In a significant development, the Prayaas Project under JagMangal Social Foundation has signed an MoU with Guru Driving School, Australia, in collaboration with Mandar Tamhankar, Chief Trainer.
As part of this initiative:
• Selected students from India will be taken to Australia
• They will experience global driving culture and discipline
• Interact with entrepreneurs in the mobility ecosystem
• Engage with law enforcement and police systems
• Gain exposure to structured training environments
The plan is to take 20 students in the first phase, creating a cross-learning model between Indian and international road safety practices.
A Social–Commercial Skill Initiative
Prayaas operates at the intersection of:
• Social impact
• Skill development
• Sustainable commercial models
It not only builds awareness but also opens pathways in employment and entrepreneurship within the mobility sector.
The Larger Vision: Building a Safety Culture
At its core, Prayaas is not just a program — it is an effort towards developing a safety culture in India.
The initiative emphasizes that safety is not a one-time lesson, but a habit, discipline, and mindset that must be cultivated systematically.
Scaling Up: Maharashtra Next
With strong pilot outcomes, the next phase is ambitious:
• Statewide rollout across Maharashtra
• Target: 2,00,000 youth in the coming academic year
Future Pathways: Nano Entrepreneurs & Skill Networks
Looking ahead, Mitesh is working on:
• Nano Entrepreneurs Network — enabling youth to build micro-enterprises in the mobility ecosystem
• Two-Wheeler Driver Training Course — formalizing a widely practiced but informally learned skill
A Movement in Motion
Prayaas today represents a rare blend — personal conviction, structured training, academic validation, and future-ready vision.
Through Mitesh Gujarathi’s journey, one thing becomes clear:
India’s road safety challenge cannot be solved only by rules — it needs culture, skills, and ownership.
And Prayaas is steadily building exactly that.
