‘We Wrote to Railways, But…’: Odisha Athletes Sit by Train Toilets, Miss Match - Who's Behind This Apathy?

Bhubaneswar: A batch of student-athletes returning from the 69th National School Games in Uttar Pradesh were forced to sit near the toilets on a train as their tickets were not confirmed. Parents said

the children had only four confirmed seats while travelling from Bhubaneswar to the tournament. The students described the incident as “nothing less than harassment.” As a result of the mismanagement, the team reached the destination only when the match had already concluded. The issue came to light after a video went viral, attracting criticism over the poor travel arrangements. Taking the matter seriously, the School and Mass Education Department on Monday ordered an inquiry to determine why confirmed tickets were not provided to the children representing Odisha in the inter-state competition.A total of 18 student-athletes, comprising 10 boys and 8 girls from different schools across the state, travelled with four teachers to Uttar Pradesh for the National School Games, held from December 8 to 12. They departed on December 5 for Ballia and returned on December 14.

Also Read: Infant Killed by Mother’s Lover in Maharashtra: Accused Arrested, Says He Did in Fit of Rage After... Assistant director, who was arranging the journey for the children, said they had written to the Railway authorities, requesting for confirmed seats under sports quota. They followed up multiple times but did not get any positive response.

Student's Testimony

One of the girls, speaking anonymously to TOI, said they were only offered proper seats at Hinjli in Ganjam district when a TTE, who was himself a sportsperson, saw them sitting on the floor near the toilets and sympathised with their plight. “At Hinjili, the TTE saw us sitting near the toilets and inquired about our tickets. He offered us seats in different compartments of the train all the way to Bhubaneswar,” she said.On December 5, the students, having only four confirmed tickets, took turns sitting on the berths and spent the rest of the journey sleeping on the floor in the general compartment.A parent, Sanjeev Patnaik of Sambalpur, questioned the arrangement: “If tickets for ministers and officials can be confirmed even a few hours before travel, why could the same not be done for the children sent by the department? Even girls had to endure harrowing conditions.”A senior official from the School and Mass Education Department stated that the department has sought a response from the Director of Secondary Education regarding the lapses in confirming tickets. The department also plans to meet railway officials soon to ensure that confirmed tickets are provided to students travelling for other competitions.