An idea for Railtrack

by Feòrag

Kanpur, India: Railway workers are being offered regular yoga and meditation sessions as a means of reducing accidents caused by human error.

Taking the lead, the North-Eastern Railway have started yoga camp at the Anwarganj railway station here as the officials reasoned that staff having cool and fresh mind could ensure safe and smooth train movement. The report of medical examinations came as an eye-opener for the Railways. The report declared nearly 35 drivers and guards unfit for their jobs, said S K Suri, superintendent of the Anwarganj railway station. Most of the staff is suffering from diabetes and irregular heart beat.

The running staff suffering from such ailments are prone to commit mistakes leading to accidents, he added. It is first time in the history of N-E Railway when such meditation or yoga camps were being organised at a railway station to make its staff tension and stress free said Suri. We have created a complete peaceful atmosphere in the 'dhyan-kaksha' where guards and drivers of different trains will take a complete rest and make themselves fit, he added.

Yoga and meditation for NER staff - Times of India, 7th April 2003.