150 Harley Davidson riders ride through Mumbai lanes for a cause

150 Harley Davidson riders across Mumbai and Pune, accompanied with junior resident doctors of government medical colleges and hospitals rode in the lanes of Mumbai early morning on Sunday to protest against the violence against doctors. The December 20 rally of the elegant motorbikes was carried out in association with MARD (Maharashtra Association of Resident Doctors).

The ride was initiated from the gates of JJ Hospital in Byculla and followed the predefined route of Nair Hospital - KEM Hospital - Sion Hospital, where the ride concluded. The rally was planned in a way where one doctor was sitting pillion with one Harley Davidson rider. Dr Rohan Sequeira, Senior Consultant Physician, Associate Professor and Head of Medicine Unit at St George Hospital who is also a Harley Davidson Rider was the main coordinator for the Riders. At the same time Amit Jambotkar, Vice President of RP Goenka Group was the Road Captain and Chief Implementer of the ride.

Dr Sagar Mundada, President of Central MARD and main coordinator for the Doctors said that the agenda behind the awareness ride was to show support for the young and budding doctors who work extra hours in the most difficult conditions possible. "During the residency period, doctors work extended hours due to the work pressure in very difficult situations of the hospital. But patients and relatives, who are understandably highly emotional at times, tend to behave in a hostile manner with the doctors. In these situations these young doctors have faced a lot of violence at the hands of the relatives or authorities," said Mundada. The purpose of the ride was to strengthen the position of the doctors in the minds of people and protest against the violence against the doctors.

MARD which has actively participating in negotiating with the government to provide security and basic facilities to the doctors wished to give a push for better security and amenities through the Sunday ride.