Go First investigating wheelchair incident involving elderly passenger at Bengaluru airport
Mumbai/ New Delhi, Oct 14: Go First is investigating the incident of a Kolkata-bound elderly passenger unable to get a wheelchair at the Bengaluru airport earlier this week, according to an airline executive.
The incident happened on Wednesday early morning soon after the passenger's son seated him on a wheelchair that was available at the airport. The wheelchair belonged to IndiGo.
However, IndiGo staff asked the elderly passenger and his son to return the wheelchair since it was already pre-booked for another IndiGo traveller, according to three executives in the know of the development.
Subsequently, the elderly passenger had to walk till the aircraft as he had not pre-booked a wheelchair. Also, there was no other wheelchair available at the airport at that time, as per one of the executives.
The elderly passenger, his wife and son were travelling to Kolkata as there was a family emergency. However, the son could not board the flight as he was late and the boarding gate had already closed by then, the executives said.
The Go First executive said the airline is investigating the incident.
An IndiGo spokesperson said, "We are aware of the incident concerning a passenger of another airline at Bengaluru Airport. We are working with other airlines and the airport operators to collaboratively address exigencies to ensure passengers requiring special care have a comfortable and seamless travel experience."
There was no comment from Bengaluru airport.
Requests for wheelchair are made at the time of booking air tickets and once that option is chosen, then a dedicated person is deputed by the airline concerned to help the passenger till boarding the aircraft.
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Gujarat government to ban mobile phone in schools to counter negative effects of social media
Ahmedabad: The Gujarat government will come up with new regulations aimed at reducing the influence of smartphones and social media on children.
A meeting on the issue was chaired by state Education Minister Praful Panseriya with senior officials on Thursday, during which he highlighted the adverse effects of excessive social media use on children. He emphasised that new rules would be implemented to reduce mobile phone usage and encourage greater focus on sports.
“Teachers will be banned from using mobile phones in the classroom, and strict measures will be taken to ensure that primary school children do not come to school with mobile phones,” the statement read under the new rules.
Panseriya said that their aim is to keep the kids away from the devices and bring them to playgrounds and study tables.
The minister further stated that a circular outlining these changes would be issued for children, parents, and teachers. The initiative will be developed in consultation with Children’s University, Teacher's University, and practicing psychiatrists.
Additionally, teachers will be encouraged to engage students in productive activities such as reading and sports instead of allowing smartphone use for social media. Parents will also be urged to limit their own social media use in front of children and and ensure the latter are not using smartphones.
The minister expressed hope that other states will follow Gujarat's lead and adopt similar measures.
