Aruna & Rama, Volunteers with Bangalore City Connect, a partner programme of Janaagraha

Infosys Technologies like many of the other companies in Electronics City have long suffered the brunt of Hosur road congestion. The traffic conditions, generally nightmarish on this stretch, worsened with the commencement of work on the flyover. With frequently extending deadlines, the desired traffic improvements along the stretch were several years away. This is when N. S. Rama and Aruna C. Newton, Senior Executives at Infosys Technologies Ltd, decided to tackle the problem head-on. Undeterred by the daily chaos wrought by the burgeoning traffic, compounded by the road dislocation due to the construction activity, and appalled by the daily perils faced by all road users, they were determined to bring about improvements. Leading a dedicated team of young Infoscians, Rama/Aruna began to take stock of the situation.

They held a series of meetings with various government stakeholders and industry associations, surveyed the surrounding road networks, and put in place, an innovative traffic management system in partnership with ELCIA and the Bangalore traffic police, implemented a system of traffic wardens to regulate traffic flows along Hosur Road , and instilled a level of traffic discipline hitherto lacking.

Their next challenge was to curb, if not reduce the environmental impact of rising carbon emissions from the growing fleet of private vehicles at Infosys Technologies Ltd.

When the launch of the new airport (BIAL) at Devanahalli, was imminent, citizens were faced with the hazardous task of commuting to/from the new airport along road networks that were far from complete. Drawing upon their experiences from Hosur Road, Aruna/Rama as active members of the Bangalore City Connect Foundation, spear-headed efforts to rope in a traffic consultant, survey the incomplete stretches to BIAL, and thereafter implement and manage a traffic warden project supplementing BTP's efforts for 8 months, till BBMP completed pending road-works.

For their outstanding contribution and demonstrable leadership in tackling Bangalore 's traffic/transport problems, N. S. Rama and Aruna C Newton are worthy recepients of the Ribbon of Honour.