Pregnant woman from Bhatkal shares harrowing experience on delayed Air India Express flight
Mangaluru bound Air India Express flight was delayed for over 24 hours at Dammam Airport
Bhatkal: Bibi Sara, a pregnant woman from Bhatkal, has made serious allegations against an airline regarding mistreatment during a prolonged flight delay by Air India Express on March 6. Sara's claims have rapidly circulated on social media platforms, drawing attention to her experience at Dammam International Airport.
The incident occurred amidst a 24-hour delay of an Air India Express flight bound for Mangaluru. Despite presenting a medical certificate detailing complications from previous pregnancies, Sara alleged that airline staff ignored her needs.
Bibi Sara, who was scheduled to board Air India Express flight no: IX886 from King Fahad International Airport Damam at 10:20 pm (KSA timing) destined for Mangalore Airport, shared her ordeal through a viral message. According to Sara, the flight faced extensive delays due to an emergency landing in Mumbai. Despite her husband being present at the airport, the flight was initially rescheduled for 2:00 am, but eventually, it was canceled for the night and rescheduled for the following morning at 11:25 am on March 7th.
Sara, who is pregnant and was advised by her doctor to travel early due to previous pregnancy complications, faced challenges during the ordeal, especially with walking long distances. She mentioned that despite requesting wheelchair assistance, she experienced further delays and mistreatment. Despite patiently waiting, the flight was delayed multiple times, adding to the frustration of the passengers.
Upon reaching near the boarding gate after completing the check-in process, the displayed flight timing was 11:00 am, but it was later announced that further delays were due to technical issues. Eventually, at 2:40 pm, passengers were escorted to the airport bus for boarding, but Sara's wheelchair was taken away, and the bus remained stationary. Subsequently, at 3:20 pm, passengers were instructed to disembark due to another technical issue.
Expressing her exhaustion and frustration, Sara mentioned seeking solace in reciting a comforting verse. She emphasized feeling mistreated and expressed disappointment at the lack of proper assistance, stating that the repeated setbacks tested the patience of passengers immensely.
In her message, Sara recounted her efforts to address the situation by gathering fellow passengers to voice their concerns. She mentioned that passengers reached out to higher authorities and describes instances where she was asked to speak to airport management and the airline manager. Sara expresses frustration as these attempts to communicate were met with unresponsiveness, with one call abruptly ended while she was speaking.
She highlights the diverse group of passengers, including pregnant women, infants, toddlers, and elderly individuals, who endured the delay without proper meals or accommodations. Sara emphasizes the lack of assistance from the airline, citing the absence of hotel accommodations, food provisions, or clear communication about the departure time. Despite some last-minute efforts to provide a meager lunch box and water bottles, Sara criticizes the airline for failing to take responsibility or apologize for the inconvenience caused.
Sara questioned why Air India Express fails to provide passengers with the necessary facilities during flight delays, unlike other airlines. She expressed frustration at the suffering passengers endure when traveling with Air India Express, echoing sentiments she has heard about it being the "worst flight ever," sentiments she now shares after experiencing it firsthand.
She emphasized the plight of mothers traveling with young children, highlighting the frustration and exhaustion they must endure. Sara reflected on her own situation as the only passenger from her hometown, Bhatkal, with her family already en route to Mangalore Airport to pick her up. Despite boarding, the flight's timing kept changing, leaving her unsure whether to tell her family to return home and come back again. She lamented the distress and exhaustion her families and others must have experienced while awaiting her arrival.
Sara described how her families' excitement to welcome her turned into disappointment, characterizing the situation as mental torture inflicted not only on passengers but also on their families.
In her message, Sara recounts the toll the prolonged flight delay took on her health, resulting in severe stomach cramps and fear for her unborn child's safety. She expresses frustration at the lack of accountability for the potential consequences of the stressful journey.
Despite the ordeal, Sara expressed gratitude for the care she received from an air hostess who provided her with assistance and comfort. She also acknowledged the kindness of fellow passengers, particularly Haider Shareef from Mangalore and a woman from Kasarkod, who offered support and assistance during the flight.
Sara extended heartfelt thanks to all those who showed compassion and support during the difficult journey.
Sara emphasized that her intention in sharing her experience is not to seek fame but to raise awareness and prevent other pregnant women and passengers from enduring similar hardships in the future. She requested that the higher authorities and management members of Air India Express take better care of passengers during flight delays and ensure that basic needs are provided.
Still deeply affected by the incident, Sara expresses gratitude to Allah for their safe landing despite the challenges they faced during the flight. Sara's family is also demanding compensation from the airline for the traumatic experience she endured during the prolonged flight delay.
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This party wants to be voice of 'mard' in LS polls
Lucknow (PTI): Unlike other political parties, winning or losing elections does not matter to the Mera Adhikaar Rashtriya Dal (MARD), which has jumped into the electoral battle to be the voice of the ‘mard’ and to defend men’s honour.
MARD has lost deposits on all seats it has contested so far since it was formed in 2018 but its leaders say they are undeterred by elections losses.
The party has released its ‘MANifesto’ for the ongoing Lok Sabha polls with the slogan "Beton ke samman me, ‘mard’ utre maidan me" (In honour of sons, men have stepped on to the battleground).
The party has so far announced candidates for three seats - Lucknow, Ranchi and Gorakhpur.
The MARD party has previously contested in seven different elections – Lok Sabha polls in Varanasi and Lucknow in 2019, bypoll in Bangarmau assembly seat in 2020, assembly polls in Bareilly, Lucknow North, Bakshi Ka Talab (Lucknow) and Chauri Chaura seats in 2022.
"We have jumped into the fray in honour of men, to raise the voice for those who are harassed and exploited in the name of women’s security. Winning and losing does not matter to us," MARD party national general secretary Ashutosh Kumar Pandey told PTI.
When asked about the fate of his party candidates contesting polls this time, he candidly accepts, "This time too, they can lose their deposits."
"We don't have a lot of resources and we also do not take donations. Our candidates contest on their own expenses. The benefit of contesting the polls is that now more parties are coming to raise the issues of men," Pandey said.
Kapil Mohan, the party’s national president, said men are "suppressed" in a bid to "empower half the population”. The party wants to highlight this issue so that people pay attention to it, he said.
In the party ‘MANifesto’, the party has promised that a separate Men's Welfare Ministry and National Men's Commission will be created so that before any policy or law is formulated, the point of view of men is taken into account.
"It will help in formulating schemes keeping in mind the health, security and honour of men," Pandey added.
The party has also promised a Men's Security Bill to save men from exploitation by “laws made for women”.
To ensure that men's side is heard, Pandey said the party has promised for a "Men power line" on lines of Women power line – a helpline which provides immediate assistance to women in cases of harassment, stalking, etc.
The party has also promised to promote self-reliance of women so that men are not “harassed in the name of alimony”, Pandey said.
Pandey claimed over 200 men commit suicide every day “as they are not heard properly” by anyone. People will be more aware about men's rights slowly and that was their objective, he said.
