With every Raah Veer who steps forward, India moves closer to turning bystanders into lifesavers — and transforming its roads from sites of tragedy into spaces of hope
By Dr AV Gurava Reddy
The crash reality we live with: Every year, road crashes claim more than 1.5 lakh lives in India — one of the highest in the world. According to the Road Accidents in India 2023 report, the country witnessed 4,80,583 road accidents, leading to 1,72,890 deaths and 4,62,825 injuries. Globally, the WHO estimates 13 lakh deaths annually due to road traffic injuries, with low- and middle-income countries accounting for nearly 90 per cent of fatalities.
At the state and city levels, the story is the same: Telangana reported 7,660 deaths in 2023, and Hyderabad alone recorded 2,943 accidents and 335 deaths.
Behind these grim numbers is a hard truth: most victims die not because of the crash itself, but because help didn’t reach in time. This is where the idea of the “Good Samaritan” comes in.
Origin of the Good Samaritan
The term Good Samaritan comes from a parable in the Bible (Gospel of Luke 10:25–37), where a traveller is beaten and left on the road. While others pass by, a Samaritan stops, tends to his wounds, and ensures he receives care. Over the centuries, this story has become a symbol of compassion towards strangers in distress.
In India, the spirit of this parable took shape in the Good Samaritan Law (2016, strengthened by 2020 rules), which legally protects bystanders who help road crash victims. They cannot be forced to reveal their identity, detained unnecessarily, or harassed in hospitals or police stations.
Shift to Raah Veer
Despite the law, awareness remained low, partly because the phrase “Good Samaritan” felt unfamiliar, rooted in a cultural context that many Indians couldn’t easily connect with. To bridge this gap, the government of India launched the Raah Veer scheme in April 2025, referring to rescuers as “Raah Veers”—literally “Heroes of the Road.” The term is simple, local, and instantly relatable. It conveys bravery, responsibility, and honour.
The Raah Veer scheme not only acknowledges life-saving acts but also motivates the public through cash awards and certificates of appreciation.
What does the Raah Veer Scheme offer?
This makes Raah Veer not just a moral duty but also a nationally recognised act of courage and service.
Call for Decentralisation
Although the Good Samaritan Law was instituted in 2016, its implementation across India has been patchy. As per available information, of the 28 States, only a few — such as Karnataka, Jharkhand, Delhi, Bihar, and Rajasthan — have taken real steps to operationalise the law. In most States, awareness is low and guidelines are poorly followed.
India cannot reduce its staggering road deaths without building a culture where helping is the norm, not the exception
Another deterrent has been the tedious process: Currently, to recognise a Raah Veer, the process involves multiple steps: the police or hospital must issue an official acknowledgment on letterhead with full details of the incident; this is then forwarded to a District Appraisal Committee (chaired by the District Magistrate with senior officials as members). The committee reviews cases monthly, sends them to the State Transport Commissioner, and only then is payment made through the Public Financial Management System (PFMS). Further, State-level monitoring committees meet quarterly, and only three cases per State are nominated annually for national awards (Rs 1,00,000).
While the intent is good, such layers of verification and paperwork often discourage bystanders from stepping forward—highlighting the need to decentralise approvals to local-level committees like Tahsildars, SHOs, and trusted NGOs such as the Red Cross.
Limited Raah Veers
Even with supportive laws and rewards, the number of people who actually step forward is still limited. Studies and media reports show that fear of police harassment, lack of knowledge about rights, and hesitation to get involved still prevent many from helping. Surveys indicate that only 25–30 per cent of bystanders say they would intervene.
But every time a Raah Veer acts, lives are saved. From citizens in Hyderabad stopping traffic to rush a bleeding biker to college students in Bengaluru calling ambulances, these stories prove the power of ordinary people.
The way ahead
India cannot reduce its staggering road deaths without building a culture where helping is the norm, not the exception. This means:
Final Word
The name may have changed from Good Samaritan to Raah Veer, but the essence remains the same: compassion, courage, and the belief that every life matters. With every Raah Veer who steps forward, India moves closer to turning bystanders into lifesavers — and transforming its roads from sites of tragedy into spaces of hope.
(The author is Chairman, Sarvejana Foundation)