Tendulkar becomes global champion for road safety cause
Times of India
by DIPAK K DASHFebruary 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar has joined forces with the United Nations as a Global Champion for Road Safety, releasing a video to support global road safety campaigns. In his message, Tendulkar emphasized the importance of discipline and awareness, drawing parallels between his cricketing career and responsible road behavior. He stressed that simple actions like wearing seat belts or helmets and adhering to traffic rules can save lives, highlighting the alarming statistic that India’s road crash fatality rate is 10 times higher than its vehicle ownership.
Speaking at a UN event, Jean Todt, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Road Safety, praised Tendulkar’s influence, noting that his endorsements carry significant weight. The cricketer’s video message also touched on collective responsibility, urging people to be more alert and respectful of road rules. His words aim to inspire a cultural shift in attitudes toward road safety, a pressing issue in India where road accidents remain a leading cause of death.
The UN and its partners, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have launched an initiative to provide financial and technical support to four Indian states—Rajasthan, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Assam. These states will focus on improving road safety through measures like addressing blackspots, creating safer school zones, enhancing pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, and improving post-crash care. The program aims to reduce fatalities and injuries by fostering institutional capacity and awareness.
Tendulkar’s involvement and the UN’s initiative underscore the global importance of road safety as a public health issue. By leveraging celebrity influence and targeted interventions, the campaign seeks to create a safer environment for all road users, ultimately protecting families and communities from preventable tragedies. This effort aligns with broader global goals to reduce road traffic deaths and injuries, making it a critical concern for anyone interested in global health and safety.
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Originally published on Times of India on 2/24/2026