I am Harsh Vardhan, a resident of Indore. Through this piece, I wish to highlight the unavailability of First Aid kits in Indian trains and how I got affected by this lack a few days ago. I hope the Indian Railways mend its ways because any traveller could face a medical emergency as I did.
On 5 October, I was travelling from Indore to Kota by the ‘Indore New Delhi Superfast Express’ ie train number 12415. My reservation was in 3rd AC (Seat No 34 of the B2 coach). I boarded from Indore around 4.30 pm. The train was scheduled to arrive Kota at 11.10 pm the same day. As the train was heading towards Nagda, I ordered a thali for dinner. At Nagda station I received it from the vendor around 7.15 pm.
After my meal, I went to dump the plate in the dustbin provided beneath the washbasin of the coach, but while disposing it, I got my index finger stuck in the bin, and as I tried to pull my hand back, I got a severe cut on my finger.
I tried to stop the bleeding by applying pressure on my finger with a handkerchief. I rushed to the attendant and he took me to the Ticket Collector of that coach. Unfortunately, the TC was very rude, he ignored the situation. When I asked for first aid, he denied, stating that the Indian Railways didn’t provide any such facility.
At the time, we were still 3 hours away from Kota. So I asked him to stop the train for a mere 5 minutes at the next station so that I could get a bandage, as all the stations generally have an emergency kit. There was indifference on his part for that request too.
Disappointed, I requested the attendant for an antiseptic cream or solution. He said, “Bhaiya I only have hand sanitiser”. That was the last resort. He then suggested I ask the guard for a first aid kit. I crossed about 17 coaches to receive an answer in the negative yet again. When I asked why there was no first aid kit, he said the Railways didn't provide any such facility. Thankfully, he had some band-aids and cotton in his personal kit. The attendant obliged and put two band-aids on my finger.
What Does the Fine Print Say?
I was able to get a proper dressing for my finger when I reached home, but I wanted to check for myself if there was any truth to the TC’s claims about the Railways not having first aid kits.
Now, the Railways’ own website says there should be a special first aid box for all superfast trains.
“Special first aid boxes - provided in all long distance superfast, Shatabdi and Rajdhani trains,” the medical manual states.
My rage is towards the Indian Railways. There should be a first aid kit provided on every train, and the Railways should check if every train is provided with it or not.
It pains me to think the inconvenience caused to travelers everyday, who may have suffered from a similar problem but didn’t receive the required medical attention.
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