Hyderabadi woman loco pilot Indira Eegalapati raring to ply Riyadh Metro trains
Riyadh, Nov 10: Hyderabad’s Indira Eegalapati is among the few women loco pilots associated with the Riyadh Metro, currently running trial trains and raring to go as the rapid transit system nears completion.
“It is really a proud moment for me to be a part of this world-class and prestigious project, especially being an expatriate,” 33-year-old Eegalapati, who has been employed as a train pilot and station operations master for five years, said.
She was working with the Hyderabad Metro when she came to know about the openings here and applied.
Eegalapati and two others from India joined in 2019 but soon Covid struck and they had to undergo the initial training virtually.
Currently, trial runs are going on and according to reports, the Riyadh Metro service is likely to become operational from early 2025.
“It has been a really good experience so far. The people of Saudi Arabia are very friendly and have a great culture. I can’t imagine that I have already completed five years here,” Eegalapati, one of the first women recruits, said.
She also said she has never faced any challenge as a woman.
“We have equal opportunities here and there is no gender bias,” she asserted. (PTI)
British Hindus object to non-veg, alcohol served at Downing Street Diwali party
London, Nov 10: Some British Hindus have taken to social media to voice their objections over a lack of proper consultation ahead of a Diwali reception hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street in London, where reportedly non-vegetarian snacks and alcohol were included on the menu.
While community organisation Insight UK questioned the “appalling lack of understanding” of the spiritual aspect of the Hindu festival, others pointed out that greater dialogue is required ahead of such religious events.
“Diwali is not just a time for festivity, but also holds a deeply religious meaning. The sacred festival of Diwali emphasises purity and devotion and hence traditionally involves vegetarian meals and strict avoidance of alcohol,” Insight UK stated in a post on X.
“The choice of menu at the Diwali celebration hosted by the Prime Minister himself displays an appalling lack of understanding or respect for the religious traditions associated with the festival of Diwali. It also raises the pertinent question of whether Hindu community organisations and religious leaders were consulted for greater cultural sensitivity and inclusivity,” it said.
The group urged “greater consideration” at future celebrations intended to promote multiculturalism and inclusivity, mindful of the “cultural and religious practices of the communities they seek to honour”.
Pandit Satish K. Sharma, author and Dharmic speaker, noted: “The complete lack of sensitivity and simple consultation, at any level, is of great concern. If accidental, it’s still disappointing.” Others have commented on these posts expressing their surprise over the move. Some British Hindu groups have also flagged their lack of invitation to the reception, held regularly over the years at Downing Street and last hosted by Conservative leader Rishi Sunak – the first British Hindu prime minister of Britain.
Downing Street did not comment on the menu at the event held on October 29 – the first Diwali reception since the Labour Party won a landslide at the July general election.
Government sources indicated that the reception was a cross-community gathering, which involved a wide range of representatives and also included Sikh celebrations of Bandi Chhor Divas. It brought together British Indian community leaders, professionals and parliamentarians. (PTI)