How does the Indian Railways help women while they are traveling in a train? | Munipalli Akshay Paul |

A year ago I was travelling from Kolkata to Bangalore for a summer internship. A week prior to my travel the unfortunate Balasore rail accident had occurred and the service was temporarily disrupted as the trains of that route were cancelled. This resulted in trains being overcrowded for the next few days.

I had a reservation in the sleeper class and the journey spanned for two nights and a day. Sixteen hours into the journey, I had a verbal argument with an unreserved passenger who wanted me to lift my middle berth to accomodate him. I refused saying that it's not the sleeping hours and it'll be uncomfortable for people to sit in the lower berth. A few hours later I had to get down at Vijayawada station to use the toilet of another compartment because unreserved passengers in my compartment had blocked the way and they were not allowing others to use the toilets. At night when the train crossed Thirupati and most passengers were asleep, I saw two men lighting cigarettes. Now I have a problem with the smell as it's very suffocating so I asked them to stop smoking in the compartment. To this, they started jeering in their language and made vulgar gestures with their fingers. It was a solo traveller’s nightmare. I turned away but these men kept taunting me in their broken english saying how they'll do certain things to me. I was scared out of my wits.

I dialled 139 on my phone and and, after a entering a few numbers and my PNR, was connected to an operator at the call center. I explained him my situation. From that point onwards till my complaint was forwarded to the Tenali RPF division, this man stayed on the phone with me constantly providing with the reassurance and support that I required. When those passengers passively enquired whether I was sleeping or not, I was on the verge of tears while on the phone with that operator and he asked me to hold myself together as Tenali was only fifteen kilometres and it'll be taken care of as soon as the train stops there. The call went on for fifteen minutes before it was shifted to Tenali RPF where I narrated my situation again and they assured that help was on the way. At the station a lady RPF personnel came by the window to talk to me. I pointed the two men to her and she berated them in her tongue, so much that people of the adjacent cabins were awakened by her voice. She told me that the TTE will arrive shortly and I should inform him as he'll collect the fine, for the committing the offense, from them. The TTE did come after half an hour but I didn't tell him anything because I was exhausted by then and didn't want another drama. Thankfully nothing happened for the rest of the night, I guess the lady personnel sent her message strong and clear.

So, this was my story. I haven't stopped traveling with the Indian Railways because the train journeys are fun and the railway service staff always ensured me a comfortable and safe journey.

A female passenger was travelling from Anand Vihar Terminal to Raxaul on berth number 11 in B-1 coach of Sadbhavna Express (train number 14018). She felt uncomfortable during this traveling.

The railway app sent the message to the TC office at Chhapra railway station through the control room. The TC present there, Pratima Kumari, without any hesitation, understood the need of the female passenger and sent her colleague to the market to get sanitary pads.

She was trying to contact the railways for assistance. When the problem intensified as the train approached Ballia, she demanded sanitary pads using the Rail Madad app. The railway app routed the message to the TC office at Chhapra train station via the control room. Pratima Kumari, the TC present, immediately recognized the female passenger's need and sent a colleague to the store to obtain sanitary pads

When the train reached Chhapra junction, Pratima Kumari herself went to platform number three and made the pad available on the seat of the female passenger and also enquired about her well-being.

The woman not only thanked the railway for this help, but also paid the price of the pads.

Well done Indian railways...