Pune Division Holds Sensitisation Training Program for Frontline Railway Staff on Disability Awareness

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Pune, 14th January 2025: The Pune Division of Indian Railways organized a sensitisation training program on January 14, 2025, aimed at equipping frontline railway staff to effectively assist passengers with disabilities and raising awareness about disability-related issues. The initiative, led by the Commercial Department, reflects the Railways’ commitment to providing accessible and sensitive services to differently-abled passengers, also known as Divyangjan.

The program was conducted under the guidance of Dr. Milind Hirwe, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, and the supervision of Hemant Kumar Behera, Divisional Commercial Manager. The event began with a welcome address by Kapil Sharma, Assistant Commercial Manager, followed by the felicitation of guests by Shantanu Atre, Assistant Commercial Manager.

The training session was conducted by Dr. Mahendra Pandit, an orthopaedic specialist associated with Divyang Kalyankari Sanstha and Sanshodhan Kendra, Pune. Dr. Pandit covered various critical topics, including disability-related terminology, appropriate behavior towards Divyangjan, and the range of services offered by Indian Railways to facilitate their travel. An interactive session allowed participants to engage directly with the trainer, enhancing their understanding of the challenges faced by passengers with disabilities.

Speaking on the initiative, a senior official emphasized, “This program aims to foster awareness among our frontline staff, including ticket checkers, reservation clerks, and booking clerks, ensuring they are well-equipped to meet the unique needs of differently-abled passengers.”

To ensure broader reach, similar training programs are being conducted across key stations in the Pune Division, including Khadki, Miraj, and Daund.