shot-button
Subscription Subscription
Home > Sports News > Other Sports News > Article > Shameful Airline treats Paralympian Deepa Malik rudely apologises

Shameful! Airline treats Paralympian Deepa Malik rudely, apologises

Updated on: 07 October,2016 08:40 AM IST  | 
mid-day online correspondent |

Paralympic silver medalist Deepa Malik, may be a role model that the entire country looks up to, but, it seems, not for some members of an airlines who ill-treated the athlete. The airlines has apologised

Shameful! Airline treats Paralympian Deepa Malik rudely, apologises

Shameful! Airlines treats Paralympian Deepa Malik rudely, apologises

India
India's Deepa Malik holds nation's flag after winning the silver medal in the women's shot put F53 athletics event during the Paralympic Games. Pic/ PTI


Paralympic silver medalist Deepa Malik is a role model that the entire nation can look up to, not only for her accomplishments, but also her committment and determination to overcome obstacles.


India should be treating such saluting such role models, but instead we treat them shoddily.


Deepa Malik, who made India proud after becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal in 2016 Paralympic Games, recounted an experience of being allegedly ill-treated by the cabin crew member of TATA-SIA-run Vistara.

The airline has since issued an apology.

But the question isn't of the apology, but of the incident taking place in the first place.

Malik was travelling on Vistara's Mumbai-Delhi flight UK 902 on Wednesday when the incident happened. She complained to the airlines about "poor handling" of wheelchair-bound passengers by the airline staff.

In her onboard written complaint to the airline, she alleged that one of the cabin crew members behaved rudely with her when she was informing her mother on the phone that her flight from Mumbai was delayed.

"Crew member Priyanka was very rude in the flight. She told me to speak softly when I called parents to inform them about the delay in flight," she wrote in the complaint.

"On objecting, she said 'sweetheart, chill'," Malik wrote, adding plus wheelchair handling is so poor that you do not know how to shift a person from seat to cabin chair. The entire staff stands and looks at each other for 10 minutes. No action."

She alleged that the cabin crew was not ready to help her reach the cabin seat as they were not trained.

Later, in a series of tweets, she urged the airline to treat physically challenged passengers with dignity. She also tagged her tweets to Union Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Thaawar Chand Gehlot.

"Very poor handling of wheelchair passenger in De boarding and fragile items. Rude n ill mannered crew. Sad experience. @airvistara (sic)," she tweeted.

"Hope @airvistara takes note of my complaints and revert. More dignity for physically challenged passengers @socialpwds @TCGEHLOT (sic)," she said in another tweet.

After Malik went public about her complaint on the mirco-blogging site, Vistara apologised to her and assured her of a through probe and necessary action.

"As a team, we would like to sincerely apologise Deepa for her disappointing experience. We have been in touch with Deepa and are grateful for the feedback shared by her. We are investigating the incident thoroughly and will take all necessary corrective actions to ensure something like this never occurs again," Vistara said in a apology letter to Deepa.

She though was also quick to point out the prompt response from the Vistara team in resolving the situation.

"Exciting news! Mid-day is now on WhatsApp Channels Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!


Mid-Day Web Stories

Mid-Day Web Stories

This website uses cookie or similar technologies, to enhance your browsing experience and provide personalised recommendations. By continuing to use our website, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Cookie Policy. OK