The site of a three-train collision near Balasore, in India's eastern state of Odisha, on June 3. AFP.
The site of a three-train collision near Balasore, in India's eastern state of Odisha, on June 3. AFP.
The site of a three-train collision near Balasore, in India's eastern state of Odisha, on June 3. AFP.
The site of a three-train collision near Balasore, in India's eastern state of Odisha, on June 3. AFP.


Rail passenger safety in India is not negotiable


  • English
  • Arabic

June 05, 2023

For a large percentage of India's 1.42 billion people, trains are often the only viable means to journey across the vast country. All railway passengers have one thing in common – which is not the degree of comfort they can withstand on often arduous train journeys, but the expectation that they will reach their destination safely.

On Friday, in India’s eastern state of Odisha, that expectation came to an end for the almost 300 people who were killed and more than 900 people who were injured when a dozen coaches of the Coromandel Express derailed after it hit a stationary freight train and the Howrah Superfast Express on an adjoining track.

Detailing scenes of the wreckage, a train passenger Suleiman Sheikh who survived, told The National: "There were some women on the top berth who got crushed." It was the country's worst train disaster in decades. In the hours following the accident, world leaders, including President Sheikh Mohamed, expressed their condolences.

Official explanations are as yet scant, but Indian Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has said an inquiry has been set up “to understand the root cause of the accident”. The results are expected by Wednesday and questions are rightfully being asked, not least of all by the millions of Indians, on how it came to be that three trains got mangled in this way.

Train tragedies are not exclusive to any one country. An accident in Greece in February, which left at least 57 people dead, was an issue that played on voters’ minds in last month’s election. The cause for lives lost in train tragedies in India, or elsewhere, bear not just thorough investigation but subsequent remedying of the cause. A train journey cannot become synonymous with high risk in the minds of travellers.

Authorities in India could even examine the findings of inquiries in other train accidents, for it is possible that results of other incidents can provide an insight into problems with railways in general, which can make it a safer mode of transport for millions every day.

In recent years, the Indian government has invested heavily in the country's train network. It allocated $29 billion in its annual budget this year, to invest in new trains and amenities, and to spruce up stations and improve passenger comfort. It had earmarked $32.7 billion in last year’s budget. Every few months, a new semi-high-speed train, known as the Vande Bharat Express, is inaugurated, connecting millions across India's 28 states. Odisha, where this tragedy occurred, got its first Vande Bharat Express on May 20.

While these are all good initiatives, passenger safety has to be the number one priority. And if more regulatory supervision and resource allocation are needed, these should be looked into.

To not fix the cause of this disaster could also interrupt growth: in 2022-23, Indian Railways recorded a revenue of $29.2 billion, 25 per cent more than the previous year. Both passenger and freight earnings have been impressively high.

Ironically, even as India has seen one too many train tragedies, the increase in the sheer number of people opting for rail travel should offer further impetus to authorities to address the root cause, whether it was with signalling or derailment or a different lapse, so that there is no scope for such accidents to recur.

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Director: Elie Semaan

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Rating: 3/5

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Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
NBA Finals results

Game 1: Warriors 124, Cavaliers 114
Game 2: Warriors 122, Cavaliers 103
Game 3: Cavaliers 102, Warriors 110
Game 4: In Cleveland, Sunday (Monday morning UAE)

German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
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Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

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Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

Company profile

Company name: Dharma

Date started: 2018

Founders: Charaf El Mansouri, Nisma Benani, Leah Howe

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: TravelTech

Funding stage: Pre-series A 

Investors: Convivialite Ventures, BY Partners, Shorooq Partners, L& Ventures, Flat6Labs

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The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

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While you're here
The specs

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Company profile

Name: Steppi

Founders: Joe Franklin and Milos Savic

Launched: February 2020

Size: 10,000 users by the end of July and a goal of 200,000 users by the end of the year

Employees: Five

Based: Jumeirah Lakes Towers, Dubai

Financing stage: Two seed rounds – the first sourced from angel investors and the founders' personal savings

Second round raised Dh720,000 from silent investors in June this year

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Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

F1 2020 calendar

March 15 - Australia, Melbourne; March 22 - Bahrain, Sakhir; April 5 - Vietnam, Hanoi; April 19 - China, Shanghai; May 3 - Netherlands, Zandvoort; May 20 - Spain, Barcelona; May 24 - Monaco, Monaco; June 7 - Azerbaijan, Baku; June 14 - Canada, Montreal; June 28 - France, Le Castellet; July 5 - Austria, Spielberg; July 19 - Great Britain, Silverstone; August 2 - Hungary, Budapest; August 30 - Belgium, Spa; September 6 - Italy, Monza; September 20 - Singapore, Singapore; September 27 - Russia, Sochi; October 11 - Japan, Suzuka; October 25 - United States, Austin; November 1 - Mexico City, Mexico City; November 15 - Brazil, Sao Paulo; November 29 - Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi.

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Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

Getting there

The flights

Flydubai operates up to seven flights a week to Helsinki. Return fares to Helsinki from Dubai start from Dh1,545 in Economy and Dh7,560 in Business Class.

The stay

Golden Crown Igloos in Levi offer stays from Dh1,215 per person per night for a superior igloo; www.leviniglut.net 

Panorama Hotel in Levi is conveniently located at the top of Levi fell, a short walk from the gondola. Stays start from Dh292 per night based on two people sharing; www. golevi.fi/en/accommodation/hotel-levi-panorama

Arctic Treehouse Hotel in Rovaniemi offers stays from Dh1,379 per night based on two people sharing; www.arctictreehousehotel.com

The biog

Name: Atheja Ali Busaibah

Date of birth: 15 November, 1951

Favourite books: Ihsan Abdel Quddous books, such as “The Sun will Never Set”

Hobbies: Reading and writing poetry

Racecard
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Updated: June 05, 2023, 5:18 AM