Goods train hits ambulance, drags it for 100 m in Odisha
Koraput, Mar 10 (PTI): Ten people had a narrow escape as a goods train struck an ambulance when it was crossing the railway line in Odisha's Rayagada district on Monday, and dragged it for about 100 metres before coming to a stop, officials said.
The incident happened between Shikarpai and Bhalumaska railway stations in the Kalyansinghpur block when the ambulance was crossing the tracks through an unauthorised passage.
As the train was plying at 60-65 kmph, a major disaster was averted, officials said.
"The train's slow speed minimised damage to the ambulance, which was dragged for around 100 metre," said a senior railway official.
The ambulance, belonging to a private eye hospital, was transporting patients from several villages in the Shikarpai panchayat for surgeries.
Rayagada's Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Amitabh Singhal visited the site following the accident.
"There is a proper underground passage available, but some locals have been using the unauthorised crossing, which led to this unfortunate incident. Thankfully, no one was injured," he said.
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Sujit Nair raises concerns over speculation of DMK-AIADMK understanding to block TVK
Chennai: Journalist and political commentator Sujit Nair has expressed concern over speculation that the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam could explore a post-poll understanding to prevent Vijay-led Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam from forming the government in Tamil Nadu.
In a social media post, Sujit Nair said the election verdict in Tamil Nadu reflected a clear public demand for political change and argued that the mandate should be respected irrespective of political preferences.
Referring to reports and political discussions surrounding a possible understanding between the DMK and AIADMK, he said he hoped such developments remained only speculative conversations and did not turn into reality.
Nair stated that if such an alliance were to take shape, it would raise serious questions about ideological politics in the country. He said TVK had emerged through a democratic electoral process and that the legitimacy to govern in a parliamentary democracy comes from the people’s verdict.
According to him, attempts to prevent an electoral winner from forming the government through unexpected political arrangements may be constitutionally valid, but many people could view them as politically opportunistic.
He further said that such a move could particularly affect the political image of the DMK, which has historically projected itself around ideology, social justice and opposition politics. Nair said that in ideological terms, the DMK appeared closer to TVK than to the AIADMK, and joining hands with its long-time political rival only to remain in power could weaken its broader political narrative.
He added that the same questions would apply to the AIADMK as well, as the party had spent decades positioning itself against the DMK and such an arrangement could create discomfort among its cadre and supporters.
Drawing a comparison with Maharashtra politics in 2019, Nair said he had expressed similar views when the Shiv Sena formed an alliance with the Indian National Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party after the Assembly elections.
He said post-poll alliances between long-standing political rivals often create a public perception that ideology and electoral mandates become secondary when political power equations come into play.
Nair also said such developments increase public cynicism towards politics and reinforce the belief among voters that ideology is often sidelined after elections.
He maintained that the Tamil Nadu verdict was emphatic and said respecting both the spirit and substance of the mandate was important for the credibility of democratic politics.
