Designated as a Road Safety Awareness Officer, Inspector Praveen Kumar has earned great popularity as P K Mast. In his avatar as P K Mast, he creatively promotes road safety through poetry and videos. Recognized for his impactful efforts, he emphasises the importance of perseverance, community support, and personal responsibility in making a positive difference. His innovative approach and inspiring messages continue to resonate widely, impacting thousands across Rajasthan.

Praveen Kumar is an Inspector in the Rajasthan Police who is currently working as a Road Safety Awareness Officer as well as the Road Safety Nodal Officer for Rajasthan.

Praveen Kumar, widely known by his poetic name ‘P K Mast’, has a unique approach to promoting road safety. Instead of relying on conventional methods, he creatively engages his audience through poetry, satire, and storytelling. His innovative style captivates people's attention, making important safety messages relatable and unforgettable.

By weaving these lessons into artistic expressions, reels and videos, he not only raises awareness but also creates a deeper emotional connection, encouraging individuals to stay mindful and safe on the roads. His work in the field of poetry has earned him recognition and popularity, further amplifying his impactful message.

He introduces himself by these lines -

मेरा नाम है पी के मस्त, ड्यूटी मेरी गश्त, ढाँचे से अस्त-व्यस्त, ईमारत हूँ ध्वस्त, एक बार बजाएं ज़ोरदार तालियां, कॉमेडी करेंगे ज़बरदस्त, रोड सेफ्टी अवेयरनेस करेंगे ज़बरदस्त।

Praveen Kumar's journey into Road safety awareness was shaped by a personal tragedy that changed his perspective on life. He often shares the heart-wrenching story of his maternal cousin, a young man who had achieved an impressive milestone by securing the 100th rank in the UPSC exam. At an age of 21, his future was full of promise. However, while he was travelling on a bus, a tragedy struck. An accident occurred, and due to a lack of road safety awareness, the young man lost his life.

This devastating incident was a turning point for Praveen Kumar. He realised that such a bright life was cut short simply because of a lack of awareness about road safety in people. From that moment on, he became determined to raise awareness about road safety, so that others wouldn't have to suffer the same loss. It was then that Praveen Kumar embraced the belief that life should be lived with joy, purpose, and the mission to uplift and protect others. He emphasises the importance of moving forward together as a community, spreading awareness, and ensuring that no more lives are lost due to preventable accidents. Reflecting on this, he says:

हम चले तो आंधियाँ क्या तूफान संग में चल पड़ेंगे, सागरों की बात क्या हिमगिरि भी ढल पड़ेंगे, ये न सोचें ये निशायें पथ हमारा रोक लेंगी, हम चले तो, सूरज हज़ारों जल पड़ेंगे।

Praveen Kumar firmly believes in the saying, "Jaan hai to jahan hai" — meaning, "If there's life, there's the world." This belief drives his commitment to fulfilling the road safety and life-saving mission of the Rajasthan Police.

Reflecting on his journey, Kumar shares that his turning point came during his posting at the Commissionerate in Jaipur, where his superiors recognized his exceptional communication skills and his ability to connect with people. They appointed him as the Road Safety Awareness Officer and put him in charge of Traffic Education. With this new role, Praveen Kumar embarked on a mission to spread road safety awareness, visiting numerous places such as schools, colleges, hospitals, hotels, and other crowded areas. He made appearances in public forums, gave interviews on FM radio and television channels, and even took his message directly to the streets.

Under his leadership, a campaign that initially involved around 100 programs grew exponentially to 1,000 events, which might have been a Guinness World Record for the scale of his awareness initiatives. His commendable efforts did not go unnoticed. Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways of India, personally honoured Praveen Kumar for his outstanding work, and he was subsequently appointed as the Nodal Officer for Rajasthan. His inspiring journey continues to leave a lasting impact on the community, saving lives through education and proactive outreach.

Praveen Kumar is deeply committed to raising awareness about road safety rules, emphasising the critical importance of driving with full concentration. He believes that reckless driving can have devastating consequences, not just for the individual but for their loved ones as well. In his own powerful words he says,

"तेज़ गति, जीवन की क्षति, रुक जाती है प्रगति, और बट जाती है संपत्ति"

— which translates to, "Speeding leads to loss of life which halts progress, and divides one’s wealth."

Through this message, he stresses that speeding not only endangers lives but also shatters the future and puts families in grief. For those who are inspired to take his campaign forward, his advice is clear: always remember that safety on the road is a shared responsibility. Every step taken to follow road safety rules contributes to safeguarding lives, ensuring that progress and prosperity continue without unnecessary loss. His message calls for a collective effort to build a safer, more aware community on the roads.

बंजर है जीवन, उगानी है फसलें, रोड सेफ्टी की दुनिया में, थोडा-सा धस लें, कुछ तो निभाएं कर्त्तव्य अपना, ताकि आने वाली नस्लें थोड़ा तो हँस लें।

Praveen Kumar hails from Jagatpura, Jaipur, and has poured his heart and soul into his road safety awareness campaign, which initially began in Jaipur. Thanks to his relentless efforts, the campaign has gained such significance that it has expanded across Rajasthan, with plans to take it nationwide in the near future.

He shares a poignant story that underscores the importance of his mission. A young boy, who tragically lost his father in an accident, sent him heartfelt lines that perfectly capture the essence of why this campaign matters so deeply:

लौट आओ पापा ये नैन बुलाते हैं, होकर के हम तो बेचैन बुलाते हैं, आप तो कहते थे दो मिनट में आते हैं, दो मिनट ये जल्दी के हमको तड़पाते हैं, न हम कहीं जाते हैं, न लोग बुलाते हैं, उम्र से लंम्बे तो ये अहम् के नाते हैं, लौट आओ पापा ये नैन बुलाते हैं।

These words are a stark reminder of how precious life is and the irreversible consequences of neglecting road safety. Through this campaign, Praveen hopes to prevent such tragedies, ensuring that no more families have to endure such devastating loss.

Praveen Kumar emphasises that the goal of his campaign is to ensure the safety of every person across the globe. He believes that with the active cooperation of the general public, they can accelerate the movement and make a greater impact.

हर तरफ लटकते चेहरे हैं, न जाने राज़ कितने गहरे हैं, मिल के चल नहीं पाते हैं दो कदम, फिर भी न जाने क्यों कदम-कदम पे पहरे हैं, और कोई सुनता नहीं है, क्या सारे के सारे बहरे हैं, मत मायूस हो दुनिया की रंगीनियों को देखकर, ये दौलत के फ़साने हैं जो ना तेरे हैं ना मेरे हैं।

Praveen Kumar credits Nitin Gadkari, the Minister of Road Transport and Highways, as his primary role model in the field of road safety. He admires Gadkari's dedication to the cause and draws immense inspiration from his work. Additionally, Kumar is encouraged by the growing interest of the Honourable Chief Minister of Rajasthan in his campaign, which now has the active involvement of 1,000 volunteers.

He is also grateful for the unwavering support from the Director General of Police (DGP), who has made road safety a priority and urges everyone to join the campaign to save lives as quickly as possible. P K Mast finds inspiration not just from these key figures but from every individual who supports this mission. Their confidence in him strengthens his resolve and motivates him to continue pushing forward with greater determination.

Praveen Kumar highlights the importance of the Good Samaritan Law, which now offers an increased incentive of Rs 10,000—up from Rs 5,000—for individuals who rush seriously injured accident victims to the hospital. He emphasises that this amount is provided within three days, a commendable step in prioritising road safety on a global level.

Praveen Kumar strongly believes in the potential of the younger generation, remarking that the youth of today hold countless possibilities for tomorrow. He envisions some becoming scholars like APJ Abdul Kalam, others rising as great leaders, perhaps even Prime Ministers or influential politicians. He stresses the importance of saving lives because this is a nation brimming with possibilities. Every child in India works hard to realise their dreams, and he proudly notes that even our daughters have won numerous medals for the country.

Expressing his feelings, he says:

बेटे के शौक में ना जाने कितने मैडल खो दिए हमने कोख में, अगर संभाल लेते कोख हम, तो मैडल आ जाते थोक में।

Praveen Kumar draws inspiration from two key figures in his life. First is his father, who was also a poet and had a unique talent for lightening any situation through his poetry. Growing up, Praveen witnessed renowned celebrities like Kumar Vishwas, Surendra Sharma, and Johnny Lever visiting their home, and it sparked a desire in him to follow in their footsteps and make a similar impact through his own creative expression.

His second source of inspiration is his wife, who is also a poet. Together, they share a deep love for poetry, and her support and creativity continue to motivate him on his journey. These two pillars of inspiration have shaped Kumar’s life, fueling his passion for poetry and his dedication to making a difference through his work. He remembers and recites some lines written by her-

बलिदानों की अमर कहानी सेना ही दोहराती है, शौर्य अपना दिखलाकर देश का मान बढ़ाती है, देश पर जब भी विपदा आये सेना ही आगे आती है, जल थल अम्बर की रक्षा, खेलों में मैडल लाती है, बलिदानों की अमर कहानी सेना ही दोहराती है।

Praveen Kumar believes that there is a soldier within every individual, ready to serve the nation if they commit to doing good work and contributing to the betterment of India.

When it comes to challenges, Praveen Kumar has a positive outlook. He believes that every challenge brings out the best in a person, and he faces the obstacles with resilience and a smile. For him, it's important to embrace positivity in all situations and maintain a calm, easy-going attitude. He feels that many people change when faced with even the smallest adversity, and in this context, he reflects:

ज़माना नशे में चूर है, न जाने किस बात का गुरुर है, और चाल उसकी कुछ बदल सी गई है, कुछ हुआ तो ज़रुर है, कुछ हुआ तो ज़रुर है।

Praveen Kumar regards saving even a single life through his efforts as his greatest achievement. He sees each life saved as a victory for his entire family, which he views as a profound reward. This success fuels his positive energy and commitment. He believes that one example of saving a life can create a ripple effect, potentially impacting thousands of families, and eventually, millions. His work demonstrates that even one person can effect significant change, and many like-minded individuals have joined this noble cause, including supporters in Udaipur such as Narayan Ji, Girdhari Ji, numerous officers, media professionals, and news channels.

Praveen Kumar says that the role of the police extends beyond protection; it involves being polite, obedient, loyal, intelligent, and energetic. He advocates a police image that resonates positively with the community, ensuring that people are not intimidated but feel comfortable and safe around them. This positive change in perception has only been possible through the collective support of the entire system, which has enabled him to build meaningful connections and foster trust within the community.

Lastly, he gives a message to all the youngsters that-

कैसी है जवानी, खून खौलता नहीं, देखते हैं सब, कोई बोलता नहीं।

Praveen Kumar urges every young person to take proactive steps if they witness an accident. He encourages them to immediately assist by transporting seriously injured individuals to the hospital. By doing so, they not only have the opportunity to receive rewards and appreciation but also play a crucial role in saving lives. His message is a call to action for the youth to be compassionate and vigilant, making a meaningful difference in emergencies. He expresses his feeling with a poetry-

तू ही नहीं गिरा, हर चीज़ गिरती है, सरकारें गिरती हैं, दीवारें गिरती हैं, सुबह ओस गिरती है, दोपहर में धूप गिरती है, शाम को छाँव गिरती है, गिरना जीवन का करम है, फिर गिरने में काहे की शर्म है, ज़िंदगी के हर क्षेत्र में गिरावट जारी है, अब तो तेरे उठने की बारी है, और वो तो उठ गया था, जो फिसल के गिरा था, वो ना उठ सका, जो नज़रों से गिरा था।

Kumar stresses that every citizen should strive to act in ways that align with their own values and principles. He encourages people to remain determined and relentless in pursuing their goals, saying, "Get up, run, and don’t give up until you reach your goal."

In an engaging manner, he advises the new generation about career prospects, noting:

"यह हम खुद तय करते हैं कि हम लाल बत्ती में आएंगे, नीली बत्ती में आएंगे या फिर ऑटो में अगरबत्ती जलाएंगे।"

This metaphor highlights that the direction of one’s career and life is ultimately your own choice, and success comes from making conscious decisions and pursuing one's aspirations with dedication. He says,

भूख तो लगती है भूखे को, पिज़्ज़ा-बर्गर खाने वाला क्या समझेगा सूखे को, प्यास तो लगती है प्यासे को, वरना तो ज़ालिम मैं सच मान बैठता तेरे दिलासे को, नींद तो आती है मस्त-मलंगों को, वरना तो लोग तकलीफ सी देते हैं पलंगों को।

He advises to always work with fun in his own way-

तूफान में रहो, कश्ती में रहो, महंगी में रहो ,सस्ती में रहो, हर हाल में यहां मस्ती में रहो, क्योंकि जिसकी मस्ती ज़िंदा है, उसकी हस्ती ज़िंदा है, वरना तो समझ लेना, वो ज़बरदस्ती ज़िंदा है।