First motor vehicle ever entered in Mizoram was military vehicle, Chevrolet (Dodge) driven by Mr. C.Rochhinga, Missionveng on the 5th October, 1942 from Sairang to Aizawl after assembling the motor parts at Sairang.The road was from 6 ft to 8 ft. wide. Occasionally, the Driver had to let it run of about knee-deep up of the road due to narrow portions of the road. For fear of fire woods collected by women from above the road could delay the motor movement, the village-crier make announcement differently crying aloud that no one should collect fire woods from above the road as a motor was coming with very very loud and peculiar signal horn might let them tumble down.
Young Lushai Association (now, Y.M.A.) on road duty were on alert all along
Vaivakawn-Dawrpui Vengthar road leading to Dawrpui Bungkawn, preventing erasement of the motor’s footprints by visitors who flocked together to see the vehicle. Some people were eager to see the vehicle while some others were eager to see the Driver. Many people flocked together at Dawrpui Bungkawn and saw the first vehicle coming to Lushai Hills country (now, Mizoram) on the 5th. October, 19 42.
However, number of vehicles increased soon, and then in May, 1959 Zoram Drivers’ Association came into being at Suakchhunga’s house. Elected leaders were : -
President - Biakchhunga, Chaltlang
Vice President. Rokhuma
Secretary - Lalzarliana, Zarkawt
Treasurer - Thansanga
Finance Secretary - Rosiamliana, Dawrpui.
That same year, name of the Association was registered under Society Registration Act of 1860 having its Serial NO. 63 of 1959.
Its name was changed in June, 1968 as “District Drivers’ Association. Again, its name was changed in January 21, 1972 as ‘Zoram Drivers’ Union. Now, it had its own Constitution, having 9 Sub.Headquarters, 5 Branches and 10 Units.
Before the Transport Department had been set up under the Government of Mizoram, all transport systems were done by the Zoram Drivers Union in their office. While there were good Drivers, there came some careless Drivers who were indulged in alcoholic drugs. Moreover, there were alcoholic passengers. As to having no other security checks, the Zoram Drivers’ Union arranged Line Inspectors who checked vehicles, the passengers and the Drivers as well for prevention of accidents. These they did by using ropes on check-points.
While vehicles increased, drunkard Drivers increased considerably. Some volunteers caught hold of drug addict drivers and gave them counseling. In no time, this kind of counseling had become missionary works. They organized gospel campaigns which were attended not only by drug addicts or drunkards but all persons who were interested in such gospel campings or campaigns. In those days, there were no transport Buses for passengers. Private Trucks were the main means of transports for passengers. Students and Army personals were the passengers mostly carried. Safety of such passengers relied on the Truck Drivers. They instituted Road Safety Week in October every year. This has become more relevant now as ever before.
The Zoram Drivers’ Union felt it to be fair and wise to establish Zoram Drivers’ Mission Board to look after such addicts. Hence, Zoram Drivers’ Ramthim (Mission) Board was established on the 6th. June, 1960. Mr. Buangthanga, a most popular citizen (merchant) was appointed to conduct election for the Zoram Drivers’ Mission Board. The following Office Beareres were elected : -
Chairman - R. Englaia, Dawrpui Jail Veng.
Vice-Chairman -V.L.Thangruma, Kulikawn
General Secretary - Saizama Sailo, Chhinga Veng.
Asst. Secretary - Zokhuma, Electric Veng.
Treasurer - Thanrehlova, Republic Veng.
Finance Secretary - H.Thangzova, Tuikual North.
Zoram Drivers’ Union was usually audited. Accordingly, the Chairman and other two O.B. were audited in 1975. Consequence upon this audit, ZDU Committee was held of which ZDURB members were set aside. But it was felt very important to pursue the evangelical approach as ever. Then, under the name of Drivers’ Evangelical Fellowship, a new forum/body was formed. The Office Bearers elected were : -
Chairman - R. Englaia, Dawrpui Jail Veng.
Vice-Chairman - Saizama Sailo, Chhinga Veng.
Secretary - C.L.Thanga, Dawrpui.
Treasurer - Thanrehlova, Republic Veng.
Finance Secretary - H.Thangzova, Tuikual North.
ZDU could not recognize to act as ZDURB. Then, Drivers’ Evangelical Fellowship had come into being. DEF organized Campings and Crusades independently even outside Mizoram U.T, viz.,Manipur, Shillong, Agartala and Burma without information of the ZDU. An aspiration for unity of the original ZDU and the Mission Board remained as ever. Then ZDRB was revived on the 12th. March, 1983 at ZDU Headquarters, Bawngkawn. ZDRB became registered as “Zoram Drivers’ Ramthim Board,”independently on 21.9.1988 under Registration of Societies Act XXI of 1860, even Number Sl.No 11 of 1988 in lieu of ‘Drivers’ Evangelical Fellowship.’
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