'Traffic' Ramaswamy The Real Hero One Needs To Know

BENGALURU: Real Hero? Who is that? Does he really exist? Yes of course. He does exist, just one amongst us. But if you are looking for a young and energetic well-built man, you would be disappointed. Because the ‘Real Hero’ here is an 80 year old fragile social activist. He didn’t fight a human army like a warrior but he did something a warrior cannot do.

Traffic Ramaswamy. Has anyone heard of this man? Not many I suppose. This man has lost count of the number of Public Interest Litigations (PIL) he filed so far. As per the records K.R. Ramaswamy is responsible for filing over 400 PILs in a span of two decades. His PILs are no ordinary file that is pending in our courts almost all 400 PILs filed by Ramaswamy are a sure success.             

Who is he?

Master of PILs may be. He is a popular icon regularly featured in Tamil Nadu’s media. Ramaswamy is solely responsible for number of changes brought in Tamil Nadu. He began his journey as an activist by unofficially regulating the chaotic traffic in the city and is well versed with the city rules, roads and the people. A weaver by profession developed a genuine interest in regulating traffic in Chennai and went steadily ahead in that field post retirement. He was regularly seen regulating the traffic and that is how the name ‘Traffic’ Ramaswamy came along.

What Did He Do?

The Assistant Commissioner of Police authorized Ramaswamy to assist Traffic Police Personnel at all times in regulating traffic as a social worker. That is not it. He is responsible for demolition of some illegal constructions, decongestion of major bus routes, sanctioning two-lane roads, and restricting motorized fish carts.

The activism has cost him pretty much—an eye, quite a few enemies and his family as well. He was fined heavily for some rejected PILs, which means he even lost monetarily. He was threatened many a times, was attacked with knives and even lost his sight in the process. None of that could stop his one man army. He continues to fight for truthful inaction of laws. The much famous ‘Aam Admi’ has a lot to learn from this man. He is a fragile octogenarian but the powerhouse of energy and determination  he holds is commendable.

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