PM's first Driver Seva Kendra is situated at Jaipur-Kishangarh highway (NH-8)

Jan. 5, 2013 - PRLog -- AGARWAL MOVERS GROUP IN A REVOLUTIONARY CSR INITIATIVE DEDICATES ITS “FIRST APM DRIVER SEVAKENDRA” TO THE NATION

Agarwal Packers & Movers Ltd. (APML) is the “Vision-Come-True” of a visionary named Ramesh Agarwal, Chairman of the Group who always believes that a strong and positive attitude creates more miracles than any other thing. Starting his career as an Airman with the IAF in 1980 where he served till 1986 with extraordinary credentials. In 1987 he took the plunge to nurture his brainchild dream and forayed into the business of logistics and transportation. The idea of packing scientifically before transportation was something the industry had not been heard of and in the years ahead this proved to be a success mantra and USP for relocation business.

The project was uphill and challenging but the drive and vision was un-daunting for Shri Ramesh Agarwal. To achieve all challenges and success he was ably supported all through by his younger brother Shri Rajender Agarwal who sacrificed his medical studies and stood like a rock, fully committed and dedicated to a cause, with elder brother to achieve what he calls “a mission of a vision” and a dream of a brother. During this long journey in this business they faced many problems but proper research and development over the issues at the grass root level always led to a solution to each and every problem. A dedicated team of professionals provided the right impetus, confidence and inspiration to this arduous journey, which, he always feels is incomplete as innovation has no timeline and is an un-ending process. “The journey is continuous,” he feels.

In the year 2006 Agarwal brothers felt that in order to “drive the nation's economy” towards the positive end, constantly and consistently, drivers were the key drivers of economy and a survey was conducted the revelations of which, were very shocking and alarming — it was revealed that in 1982 for every 1000 trucks there were 1310 drivers; in 1992 this figure was reduced to 1000 drivers and further reduced to 890 in 2002 and in 2012 the figure stands at just 750 drivers for every 1000 trucks. In 2022, it will be at an astounding 480 drivers per 1000 trucks. Hence, something is needed to be done on a war footing was his immediate priority.

For a man who had the transportation business at the heart of his venture, this seemed like an unbelievably pathetic and disturbing situation. For a few months, his thoughts only went into as to how he could revive this class and re-establish its identity in the society so that their work is acknowledged by one and all. He was made the National President of AITWA in 2007 and that was when he pledged to work towards upIiftment of the “drivers of our beloved nation.”

It was a very appalling issue that the driver who is at the responsibility for the major section of transportation was treated so shabbily and with disrespect despite his being on road in the direst situations and has no relief at all since he has to "deliver". The following statistics speak of the lives and pathetic conditions of poor drivers who are available in all terrains be it any season or weather:

Over the last 25 years, APML has become a company of National and International repute and has enormous credentials to its name of unblemished record of customer service and loyalty by shifting around 51000 households in the year 2011-2012. Realising their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards the driver community Shri Agarwal has set the prototype by making the first “Driver Seva Kendra” of the country. Owing to the callous elements that exist in society, a driver cannot afford to have an undisturbed sleep of 8 hours which is of utmost importance for a normal person. Against this, a driver gets to sleep only for three hours in a day.

Shri Agarwal's idea was that the Driver Seva Kendra would be a “home away from home” for the poor drivers. Not only would the Kendra preserve the ease of feeling at home, but, also provide all the facilities necessaryto make the drivers' job easier.

PM's first Driver Seva Kendra is situated at Jaipur-Kishangarh highway (NH-8) built on a sprawling 55 acres and houses a building having over 500 cots & fans for the drivers have to have an uninterrupted rest. Allied facilities include barbers, large bathrooms and toilets, arrangement for parking vehicles with goods. All these facilities are provided “free of cost”. The motels, Dhabas that function here provide good and hygienic food at zero profit basis. Also available is a small retail shop where there are commodities available for daily needs at very reasonable rates. A small “truck repair center” is also available where drivers can have theirvehicle repaired whenever required at nominal charges.

In his interview to the Business India, Ramesh Agarwal said, “We are trying to make this profession attractive and dignified so that drivers may get their due place in society. It's a great challenge and we all must work at ground level to alleviate the tattered souls.”

The location of the Kendra had been secured after months of meticulous research and planning. The reason behind choosing Dudu in Rajasthan was that it was found that trucks making a move from north towards south do not come across any accidents on the first day of the move till Kishangarh but the very next day after travelling 400 kms the accidents start as the driver is unable to sleep properly during the first night of his travelling.

After a long journey of approximately 360-400 kms. on the 1st day, the driver will reach the Kendra, can take rest and start rest of the journey fully refreshed. With ample rest, it would eliminate the previous situation of first day tiredness and based on the statistics this would benefit over 15,000 drivers in a month and cause a drop in the rate of accidents, there by we would save 46 people per month by this single “APM Driver Seva Kendra.”

The transport industry is growing at the rate of app 11-12 per cent per annum. Today, the biggest challenge for relocation/transportation industry is that the laws are not stringent and about 72 people get cheated everyday due to fake/duplicate companies and notorious individuals in India, as compared to none in Europe and USA. The Trade Mark Act has serious loopholes which allow the unfair percolation of business opportunities to the cheats and unscrupulous elements. When asked as to why the services of his company were always economical-ITNA BADA BRAND PHIR BHI SASTA -Shri Ramesh Agarwal replies with a pride that that whenever a company thinks “out-of-the-box” and does new “innovations” then they are able to pass on the economic benefits to its clients thereby keeping its services always economical and customer-centric. On being asked further about launching the new national number, 6001 5001, he responded that there are so many similar name players in the market and sometimes people unknowingly choose incompetent and fraudulent companies for shifting. The new number will serve as a HALLMARK to identify the genuine AGARWAL MOVERS GROUP from others.

The endeavour and initiative of Ramesh Agarwal is bound to catapult the Nation's pride and “Driver Sewa Kendra” is one small initiative towards larger role that Agarwal Movers Group is stewarding towards in the country. “More such initiatives are in the offing” is a statement that Agarwal Brothers enunciate with pride and gleam in his eyes.