A tale of two cities

[Harshal Chhaya <hchhaya@epsilon.pair.com>]

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Even if you disregard the "let's-sue-'em" attitude of the USAians and 
the 'chalta hai' attitude of desi public sector, the contrast is still 
shocking.


News #1:

Boy awarded $50 million in Pennsylvania escalator accident

PHILADELPHIA, Dec 15 (AP) -- A jury has awarded $50 million to 
a 7-year-old boy who lost a foot in an escalator at a subway stop, saying 
a transportation agency was negligent and violated his civil rights. 

Jurors also awarded Shareif Hall's mother, Daneen, $1 million plus $65 for 
the shoes Shareif was wearing at the time of the 1996 accident. Shareif has 
a prosthetic foot to help him walk. 

The boy's attorney, Thomas Kline, said SEPTA showed deliberate indifference 
to Shareif's safety, allowing escalators to operate without repairs, 
maintenance and inspections. 



News #2

Horror at Delhi escalator death
Horror has been expressed in the Indian media after an eight-year old girl
was crushed to death in a faulty escalator at Delhi's international airport.

The victim, Jyotsna Jethani, was killed when an escalator in the arrival
lounge ripped open after a passenger's bag got stuck in it. 

India's Civil Aviation Minister Sharad Yadav has ordered an investigation
into the accident and directed a two-member inquiry committee to present its
findings within 24 hours. 

Indian newspapers reported that the minister offered compensation to the
girl's parents who rejected the offer. 

"We will give you fifty times that money but can you give us our child
back?" The Hindustan Times quoted family members as saying. 

Eyewitnesses said panic-stricken passengers jostled each other in a minor
stampede when the bag got stuck in the escalator. In the confusion, 
Jyotsna fell into a gaping hole at the base of the moving stairs. 

Reports said no official came forward to help and for almost an hour after
the accident, no first-aid was administered to three other passengers who
were injured. 


- 'shal
harshal@mumbai-central.com

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