New Delhi, 19 October 2026: Recognising the people who keep India’s goods and supply chains moving, News18 Network and Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles announced an initiative to celebrate 23 October as National Saarthi Diwas at a Delhi conclave held under their ‘Desh Ke Super Saarthi’ campaign. It seeks to bring greater attention to truck drivers and their contribution to the country’s transport and logistics network, while placing their safety, health, and dignity at the centre of the conversation.
The announcement comes against the backdrop of a broader question facing the logistics sector — how can operational efficiency go hand in hand with the wellbeing of the people who make it possible? The ‘Desh Ke Super Saarthi’ conclave brought together government representatives, industry leaders and transport-sector stakeholders to discuss this relationship, with the two panel discussions examining safer working conditions, inclusion, driver welfare and the role of empathy in business growth.
Ajay Tamta, Hon’ble Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, attended the event as Chief Guest. In his remarks, Tamta highlighted concerns around drivers’ long hours on the road, the need for adequate rest and access to medical facilities, including attention to eyesight and overall health. He also acknowledged the importance of initiatives that bring greater recognition to drivers.
Tamta sought a detailed account of the campaign’s work over the years, along with plans for activities on National Saarthi Diwas and initiatives for Saarthis throughout the year.
The conclave featured two in-depth panel discussions delving into the challenges faced by Saarthis and the need to build a safer, more inclusive and dignified working environment. The first session, titled ‘Efficiency × Empathy = Real Progress: Building a Safer, More Inclusive & Dignified Future for India’s Saarthis’, featured Dr Veni Mathur, VC, CILT; Ramesh Agarwal, Patron and Chairman, Welfare and Wellbeing of Drivers, AITWA; Mohit Kapoor, Chair, Projects and Events Committee, Warehousing Association of India; Dr Harish Sabharwal, President, AIMTC; and S. Tajinder Singh, National President, Parivahan Morcha.
A second panel explored the relationship between driver welfare and commercial performance through the theme ‘Efficiency × Empathy = Real Progress: Driving Business Growth While Putting the Saarthi First’. It featured Shweta Goela, Assistant Vice President, Corporate Strategy, Safexpress; Deepak Gautam, Zonal Manager, Trucks & Buses, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles; Dr Sameer Bhatnagar, Mobility & Solutions, KPMG; Sankalp Sondhi, Executive Vice President, Integral Logistics Services; Shri Ravi P. Chaturvedi, Executive Director, CONCOR; and Manu Gupta, Owner, Triumph Auto Pvt. Ltd.
Actor, writer and producer Randeep Hooda, who joined a fireside chat titled ‘Finding Dignity in Every Journey ‘, spoke about the opportunity to explore the lives and roles of Saarthis through films. His participation brought another dimension to the question of recognition: how the experiences of truck drivers can be represented and brought to wider public attention.
The discussions at the ‘Desh Ke Super Saarthi – Delhi Conclave’ placed recognition within a wider conversation about the conditions in which Saarthis work and the importance of keeping their contributions visible beyond a single day.
