Indian para swimmer Mohammad Shams Alam Shaikh has alleged delay in delivering wheelchairs on Air India aircraft at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport. The airline has given clarification in the matter. Meanwhile, people posted the class of this para athlete on social media who got his name in the Limca Books of World Records. People advised to be patient.
Shaikh alleges that he had to wait for 90 minutes in a wheelchair when he returned to India after a 12-hour journey from Melbourne, Australia. The player claimed that initially he was given a wheelchair, which was inconvenient. Meanwhile, Air India said security clearance during international travel takes time. That’s why there was a delay in giving him a personal wheelchair. Air India made two tweets and they said, “We are sorry to hear about your experience. Upon investigation, it was found that wheelchairs were provided on international arrivals as per procedure.”
Dear Mr Aalam, we’re concerned to know about the experience. As checked, the aisle wheelchair was provided in the aircraft as per the procedure in International arrivals. 1/2
— Air India (@airindiain) June 6, 2022
We understand it took some time to deliver your personal wheelchair as it got delayed due to airport security reasons. We hope you would give us another opportunity to make things right. 2/2
— Air India (@airindiain) June 6, 2022
Sometimes we all wait. It’s not a big deal and we Indians have the culture of enough patience and like us others are also busy as it is a big nation and same for airport staff as well.
— Chittaranjan (@chitta_mit) June 8, 2022
Very unfortunate to read this
— Ms Weera (@MsWeera) June 8, 2022
These people always have some or the other problem…. Whoever it is security is the prior concern
— Shakthivel saravanan (@Shakthivelsara1) June 8, 2022
In another tweet, the airline said, “We understand that it took some time to deliver your personal wheelchair as it was delayed due to airport security reasons. We hope you will give us another chance to fix things.” The swimmer tweeted, “Dear AirIndia, I landed at Delhi Airport with AI 309 at 5 PM. I use a wheelchair and I informed the cabin crew that I needed my wheelchair at the gate. After an hour I’m still waiting and I haven’t found my personal wheelchair. I have to use washroom, no one is supporting.
why patience and compromise??
its about following procedures and rules.. he is no exception..— TEJAS B (@tejasbhansali86) June 8, 2022
1 hour hi to betha hai bhai it’s not like you missed a tournament. There are some rules and regulations at airport so special request takes time
— Anubis (@masterfuckru) June 8, 2022
In another tweet, Sheikh said, “Thanks to the Twitter family for the support. I got my wheelchair. Kindly organize sanitization program for Air India PWD. If someone with a disability is asking for their wheelchair, don’t force them to sit on your uncomfortable XL size wheelchair.” Now some people expressed sympathy with Sheikh on social media and some people targeted him.
Alam, a national record holder in his category, is an international gold medalist in para swimming. He also holds the world record for longest ocean swim by a paralyzed person. In 2017 he made this world record. He swam eight kilometers in the sea in Goa in four hours and four minutes. After this his name was entered in the Limca Book of Records. He has also represented India in Asian Para Games, Jakarta-Indonesia 2018.