School Athletes Faced Difficult Train Journey Back Home
School students from Odisha, who went to play games in Uttar Pradesh, faced a very difficult train journey back home. They had to sit near the toilets because their train tickets were not confirmed. The school and mass education department has now ordered an investigation into this incident.
About the Trip
- The department sent 18 student athletes (10 boys and 8 girls) from different schools.
- Four teachers also went with them.
- They participated in the 69th National School Games in Uttar Pradesh, held from December 8 to 12.
- They traveled from Bhubaneswar to Ballia, Uttar Pradesh, on December 5 and returned on December 14.
The Problem with Tickets
Parents of the students said the journey was like "harassment."
- Going to Uttar Pradesh: Only four tickets were confirmed. Students had to find space and sleep on the floor in the general compartment.
- Returning to Odisha: None of the tickets were confirmed for the return journey.
Sitting Near Toilets
Because there were no confirmed seats, all the students and teachers had to sit near the toilets in the general compartment. This uncomfortable situation lasted from Uttar Pradesh all the way to Hinjili in Ganjam district, Odisha.
Help from a Kind Official
A girl student, who did not want to be named, said that a Ticket Examiner (TTE) saw them in Hinjili. He felt sorry for them because he was also a sportsperson. He then found them seats in different parts of the train for the rest of their journey to Bhubaneswar.
Parents Are Very Upset
Parents are very angry with the education department for letting the children travel without proper tickets.
Sanjeev Patnaik, a parent from Sambalpur, asked, "If ministers and officials can get confirmed tickets easily, why couldn't these children? Even girls had to travel in such bad conditions."
Official Action Taken
A senior official from the school and mass education department said:
- They have asked the director of secondary education to explain why the train tickets were not confirmed.
- The department will soon meet with railway officials.
- The goal is to ensure students get confirmed tickets when they travel for future competitions.
