A Southern Railway Loco Pilot’s Compassionate Leave Granted Amidst Family Emergency
In a heartwarming turn of events, Southern Railway has approved leave for Loco Pilot Bibin, whose initial plea to care for his wife during a labor emergency was unexpectedly denied. This tale of compassion and bureaucracy unfolded on the night of April 7, as Bibin dutifully operated a goods train bound for Mangalore in Palghat Division. Little did he know that the wheels of fate were about to turn, setting in motion a series of events that would challenge the very fabric of duty and family.
As the locomotive rumbled to a stop at its destination, Bibin found himself faced with a stark reality—a call from his pregnant wife in Tiruvalla, Kerala, beckoning him home as she grappled with the throes of labor. Without hesitation, he boarded the next train back to his beloved, his heart a whirlwind of emotions as he raced against time to reach her side. Upon arrival, he swiftly admitted his wife to a private hospital, where the miracle of life awaited them in the form of a bouncing baby boy the following morning.
The Joy of New Life, the Struggle for Compassionate Leave
Amidst the joy of new life, however, a bureaucratic hurdle loomed in the form of an unexpected rejection of Bibin’s leave application. Despite the gravity of the situation and the urgent need to be by his wife’s side during this pivotal moment, his request was summarily turned down without explanation by the powers that be. To add insult to injury, a message arrived notifying Bibin that he was now marked absent from duty effective April 8, 2025—a harsh blow to a man torn between duty and familial responsibility.
The All India Loco Running Staff Association wasted no time in denouncing the callous denial of privilege leave to Bibin, calling for swift action from the Southern Railway General Manager to right this wrong. News of the injustice quickly spread, catching the attention of concerned citizens and railway enthusiasts alike. It wasn’t long before the story reached the ears of those in power, prompting a much-needed intervention to correct the course of justice.
A Silver Lining in the Clouds of Adversity
After the issue gained traction in the public eye, a ray of hope emerged for Bibin in the form of a phone call from the Chief Crew Controller of the Mangalore Depot. With a tone of understanding and compassion, the Controller informed Bibin that his plea for five days of leave had been granted, offering a glimmer of reprieve in the midst of turmoil. Furthermore, the four days that had been erroneously marked as ‘absent from duty’ would be rectified and retroactively treated as legitimate leave, bringing a sense of closure to a tumultuous chapter in Bibin’s life.
As the wheels of justice turned and the tides of compassion ebbed and flowed, Bibin’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the delicate balance between duty and humanity. In a world where rules and regulations often dictate our actions, it is in the moments of crisis and compassion that our true character shines through, illuminating the path forward with empathy and understanding.
And so, with a newfound sense of gratitude and humility, Bibin embraced his role not only as a Loco Pilot but as a devoted husband and father, navigating the tracks of life with courage and resilience, one journey at a time.
