By Lipi Mehta:
The Ministry of Indian Railways has a buzzing Twitter account. Right from complaints regarding safety, cleanliness and reservations, to concerns about staff behaviour and quality of food in the pantry are tweeted to @RailMinIndia. Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu’s Twitter timeline is also chock-a-block with complaints, suggestions and praise alike. Not just this, all the divisional railway managers are on Twitter too and are constantly forwarded queries and grievances.
It’s great that the government is using technology to connect with citizens in a faster way, and this also makes them more responsible, transparent and accountable to citizens. To our utmost delight, the ministry has delivered results on various occasions, and addressed all kinds of concerns, whether big or small.
These are 8 incredibly hopeful moments when passengers were immediately helped by the Ministry of Railways, just after a tweet was sent to them. If you have any more such news to share or want to share your own experiences of interacting with the Ministry or its officials, do leave a comment below!
1. When a group of hungry school students were provided a meal at concession rates.
@sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia sir plz arrange food for school students in train 12370(B-1) bcoz of 7 hours delayed, route diverted,No Pantry
— Amit K Narnoli (@ANarnoli) December 7, 2015
@ANarnoli @RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu @drmmgs @GM_NRly school children served meal and water at Bsb. pic.twitter.com/uSeeutEpou
— Anil kumar Lahoti (@drmlko25) December 7, 2015
2. When security was deployed in a female passenger’s compartment after she was harassed by two men.
@namratamahajan1 Please your PNR immediately
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) November 26, 2015
@namratamahajan1 We have informed. Somebody will attend to you soon.
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) November 26, 2015
@pra_shri80 @RailMinIndia yes sir exactly I am safe thanks for that immediate help sir.
— nams (@namratamahajan1) November 26, 2015
3. When a passenger’s phone was recovered.
@RailMinIndia –@RailMinIndia , sir I have forgot my mobile in the train no-14660, at A2- seat no -31, at Jaipur station, train leftfor Delhi
— Sanjay rathi (@banjarahome) December 11, 2015
@RailMinIndia thank you I got call from railway that they found mobile and need to collect from Delhi office, thanks a lot for the help.
— Sanjay rathi (@banjarahome) December 11, 2015
4. When a passenger was provided a wheelchair for his father who was suffering from paralysis.
@DRMJodhpurNWR @GMNWRailway @RailMinIndia Cn d train 16587 to stop at merta road for 10 mins than usual 3 mins tom mng?cn I get wheelchair?
— Pankaj Jain (@pankajjain86) November 28, 2015
@pankajjain86 @DRMJodhpurNWR @GMNWRailway @dr_asr @sureshpprabhu Please send PNR or coach number
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) November 28, 2015
@RailMinIndia in this Cold weather the station master wit staff were waiting for us on platform @DRMJodhpurNWR @GMNWRailway @sureshpprabhu
— Pankaj Jain (@pankajjain86) November 29, 2015
5. When a 19-year-old was saved from trafficking and her kidnappers were arrested.
@RailMinIndia Got some informarion from a relative who is travelling in Train No 12723. “A girl from siliguri is taken forcefully to Delhi.
— Divyansh Khunteta (@Divyansh131) January 5, 2016
@Divyansh131 Matter notified for immediate action @IR_IGCNI
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) January 5, 2016
Looking for some hope today? This is sure to give you plenty!
Posted by Youth Ki Awaaz on Thursday, 7 January 2016
6. When a crying 18-month-old baby on a train without a pantry car was specially given some milk.
@sureshpprabhu @RailMinIndia Train No:12581/ MUV NDLS S F EXP में 18 महीने के मेरे बेटे को दूध चाहिए। ट्रेन काफी लेट है। PNR: 2856790486
— Satyandra Yadav (@ysatyandra) December 10, 2015
Translation: The train is running late. My 18-month-old child needs milk.
@ysatyandra @sureshpprabhu @GMNCR1 @drmncrald Train will reach Kanpur stn at 10:30 we have done some arrangement.
— Ministry of Railways (@RailMinIndia) December 10, 2015
@drmncrald @RailMinIndia @sureshpprabhu मेरे बेटे को दूध मिल गया है। रेल मंत्री @sureshpprabhu जी @drmncrald बहुत-बहुत धन्यवाद।
— Satyandra Yadav (@ysatyandra) December 10, 2015
Translation: We have got milk for our son. Thank you, Suresh Prabhu ji.
7. When a woman was promptly given a bedroll and blanket in winter.
@RailMinIndia Mother travelling #alone by 18452 & PNR 6749750580. #BEDROLL not given in this Chilled weather. #worried. Needs helping hand
— SOURAV BHATTACHARJEE (@sourav001) December 22, 2015
@sourav001 talked with on board TTE n advised to provide bed roll immediately
— DRM Sambalpur (@drmsambalpur) December 22, 2015
@drmsambalpur #THANKS A TON Sir, #DRM the #HELPINGHAND. proud to be an #INDIAN, paucity of bureaucrats #working overtime 4 us #OVERWHELMED
— SOURAV BHATTACHARJEE (@sourav001) December 22, 2015
8. When doctors attended to an ailing woman just half an hour after a tweet was sent.
@RailMinIndia has been very active. Thanks to @sureshpprabhu. Definitely lotsf Hope fr #Achhedin coming on way.. pic.twitter.com/8kRjMiO18N
— Dipendra Dipzo (@DipendraDipzo) December 22, 2015
In just half hour after tweeting to @RailMinIndia regarding my aunt’s illness, a doctor attended her at Jaipur station. Thank you .
— bhakt (@indiantweeter) December 22, 2015