Int’l Para-Athlete Denied Lower Berth, Sleeps on Train Floor

None of the physically fit co-passengers agreed to exchange their lower berths with Suvarna.

Suvarna Raj was allotted an upper berth, even though she is wheelchair-bound. (Photo: ANI Screengrab)

Suvarna Raj, an international medal-winning Para-athlete-turned-social activist, was forced to sleep on the train floor after being denied a lower berth on the Nagpur-Nizamuddin Garib Rath on Saturday.

34-year-old Suvarna and her escort were both allotted upper berths on the coach reserved for the disabled, even though she is wheelchair-bound. After repeated requests by her and the TT for an exchange of berths with her co-passengers failed, she was forced to sleep on the floor.

This coach is isolated from the others. One cannot enter other coaches unless he or she gets down, so how do you expect us to ask for help? This is the issue with every train. Be it online or window booking, we always face problems.

Suvarna Raj, Para-athlete-turned-social-activist

Union Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu ordered an inquiry a day post the incident. In reply, Suvarna tweeted that she wanted a permanent solution to the issue, rather than an inquiry.

Read the full story here.

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman