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Runaway train incident in Odisha: Railways says ‘Sorry’
Mumbai, April 9 (IANS) The Indian Railways on Monday apologized for the freak incident when the Ahmedabad-Puri Express rolled down for several kms on Saturday, endangering the lives of hundreds of passengers.
“The incident is an isolated one of staff negligence that is ‘sincerely regretted’ by the Indian Railways. While the concerned staff has been suspended and a high-level probe has also been ordered, the IR remains committed to ensuring highest levels of safety in train operations,” the Central Railway said in a statement here this evening.
To prevent recurrence of such incidents, the Railways has ordered a month-long campaign over the entire railway network in the country “for sensitizing staff regarding the precautions to be takena”
“Passenger safety followed by passenger comfort remains the highest priority of IR. The subject of safety is continuously monitored at the highest levels in the Railway Board, being done daily at the level of the Chairman,” said CR spokesperson Sunil Udasi.
Passengers of the Ahmedabad-Puri Express on Saturday had a miraculous escape when the entire train minus the engine, rolled down for several kms due to non-application of skid brake in Odisha’s Titlagarh.
The railway staff managed to halt the train by blocking it with stones on the railway tracks at a gradient near Kesinga late on Saturday. Fortunately there were no casualties in the incident.
A video of the incident, shot by some passengers on a platform en route went viral on social media networks, proving an embarrassment for the railway authorities.
The East Coast Railway (ECoR) suspended two engine drivers and three carriage repairs staff for dereliction of duties and ordered an enquiry into the episode.
According to ECoR’s preliminary report, while the train coaches should have been secured with skids at the wheels, in the instance last Saturday, the skids were either no placed at all or placed improperly.
ECoR General Manager Umesh Singh sought immediate correctives and stringent exemplary action in the matter, besides ordering the Sambalpur DRM to institute an enquiry panel comprising divisional heads of operating, safety, mechanical and civil engineering departments.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.