Andaman: Unable to airlift accident victim to Chennai hospital
family makes desperate calls for help
Port Blair: The family of a young man battling for life after a road accident in Andaman is desperately seeking urgent medical evacuation to Chennai, but bureaucratic hurdles and lack of immediate stretcher facilities have left them helpless.
The accident took place on Friday at Tushnabad, Andaman, when a speeding SSV Transport bus collided with the victim, causing severe injuries. The man, who remains unconscious for over 24 hours, has suffered a serious head injury and is currently receiving treatment at GB Pant Hospital in Port Blair. Doctors have stated that the next 48 hours are critical and have recommended shifting him to Chennai for advanced medical care. However, the family has been struggling to find an immediate way to transport him.
One of the victim’s relatives, Shahrukh Sayed, took to social media platform X on Saturday, pleading for urgent help. In his post, he expressed shock at the lack of immediate airlift options for stretcher patients from Andaman. He tagged various government authorities, airlines, politicians, and celebrities, hoping that someone would intervene and help with the medical evacuation.
According to Sayed, IndiGo Airlines informed the family that it would take at least 48 hours after payment and necessary formalities, and even then, it would be subject to seat availability. Meanwhile, Air India Express' website mentioned that their process could take 72 hours, but the family has reportedly received no response from the airline's customer care or staff at the Port Blair (IXZ) airport counter.
Air India, which previously offered stretcher facilities, has completely discontinuedthe service, leaving the family with even fewer options. Akasa Air, another airline operating in the region, does not offer stretcher facilities at all.
The family, in their desperate search for solutions, learned that another patient was shifted to Chennai on a stretcher via IndiGo Airlines, but only after a painstaking process that took 10 days of intensive follow-ups before approval was granted. The victim’s relatives are devastated as they do not have that much time and require immediate assistance.
“We need urgent help NOW. We have already started the medical documentation process, but time is running out. If anyone can help arrange an emergency medical transfer, please contact me immediately,” Sayed wrote in his plea.
He tagged prominent figures such as actors Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, and Sonu Sood, as well as Andaman-based politicians and organizations. Calls have also been made to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, DGCA, Airport Authority of India, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Office, urging them to intervene.
As of now, no concrete solution has been found. The family continues to appeal for immediate action, hoping that authorities or organizations specializing in medical evacuation will step in before it is too late.
URGENT HELP NEEDED
— Shahrukh Sayed (@Shahrukh_333) March 1, 2025
My cousin brother met with an accident yesterday at Tushnabad, #Andaman when a speeding SSV Transport bus collided him. He has suffered a head injury and is currently unconscious for the past 24+ hours at #GBPantHospital, #PortBlair. Doctors have advised that…
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'Aurangzebi govt': BJP slams Cong-led Karnataka dispensation over saffron shawl ban in schools
New Delhi (PTI): A political row erupted on Friday over the Congress-led Karnataka government's clarification that saffron shawls would not be allowed in educational institutions, with the BJP alleging that it is pursuing "appeasement and vote-bank politics".
The controversy flared up after Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said on Thursday that saffron shawls would not be allowed in educational institutions under the state government's order on religious symbols, while practices already in existence such as hijab, turbans, rudraksha beads and sacred threads (janeu) would continue to be permitted.
BJP national spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla alleged that the Congress government is pursuing appeasement politics and termed it an "Aurangzebi government".
"This government allows the wearing of hijab inside institutions, which the Supreme Court and high court had not allowed. But you cannot wear a 'bhagwa' (saffron) shawl or 'bhagwa' angavastram. This is the mindset of the Siddaramaiah government," Poonawalla said in a video post on X.
He alleged that the Congress government can go to any extent for appeasement politics and accused the party of "abusing Sanatan" in the past as well.
"They have shown Hindu hatred, from terms like 'bhagwa terror' and 'Hindu terror' to abusing Sanatan.
"We have seen how Congress leaders in Tamil Nadu have abused Sanatan. In Telangana, they said Congress means Muslims. They seek Muslim reservation in the name of vote-bank politics and appeasement," he alleged.
Poonawalla further alleged that the Siddaramaiah government has adopted a discriminatory policy and claimed that it had earlier announced a "Muslim-only budget" and "Muslim colonies".
Speaking to reporters in Mysuru, the chief minister clarified that those religious attire which are in practice will be allowed.
The Karnataka government on Wednesday passed an order allowing students to wear the hijab, sacred thread, Shivadhara and rudraksha in schools.
The order scrapped the BJP government's 2022 order, banning Hijab in government schools following the hijab versus saffron shawl controversy.
"Saffron shawls are not allowed. Those shawls cannot be worn. Turbans, sacred thread, Shivadhara, rudraksha and hijab can also be worn," Siddaramaiah told reporters.
"See, it is not just the hijab. People can also wear sacred threads; Shivadhara rudraksha beads everyone can wear, things according to their beliefs.
"This is allowed up to Class 12, whether it is high school, college or primary school. It applies to all," he added.
Asked whether saffron turbans representing saffron identity would be permitted, the chief minister said only practices already in existence would be allowed and no new practices could be introduced.
