Youths stage a play to spread railway safety awareness among passengers at Bhubaneswar railway station. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Sept. 1: Watch where you smoke. You could cause a major mishap.

This was one of the many messages a group of around 50 youths belonging to various technical institutes in the city spread among passengers at Bhubaneswar railway station in an attempt to create awareness about railway safety.

The railway safety programme, Rail-e-Gyan, which included a street play, demonstrated general precautions to be adopted while travelling in trains, which can prevent major accidents such as fire caused by callous passengers.

The performing youths said that though the group had been staging such street plays for the last four years on various social issues, this time they picked the topic of railway safety as the state has been witnessing frequent railway mishaps, the most recent being the train accident in Sambalpur district that claimed 14 lives. “If we can avoid some minor mistakes while travelling in trains, we can prevent major disasters. Passengers must abide by the rules so that their journey is safe,” said Adil Zeya a third-year engineering student of a technical institute in the city.

Nearly 11 students displayed their acting skills in the play, while the rest were seen explaining safety norms and rules to people at the station.

The group will also have a flash mob, which involves a group of people assembling suddenly in a place, performing an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time. The flash mob will show up on Monday at Unit II market building and in front of a city mall. “Flash mobs are a way to entertain people along with spreading awareness. It’s a way to involve people and reach out to them,” said Aditya Thakur, another engineering student of the group.

The group includes not only the students who are currently studying at various technical institutes but also those who have graduated. The members have been practising for two months for this play.

“All the members of the group attend their classes regularly and assemble at one point to practise for the play. I have been a member of the group for the past four years. Although I have already completed my studies, I always join the group for social causes,” said O.S. Rajaraman, an engineering graduate.

He said the group was planning to stage such plays at railway stations outside the state as well. Many passengers waiting for their trains were also seen watching the street play.

“All of us know that smoking is prohibited in trains, but sometimes passengers make these mistakes which can lead to accidents. This is a good way to create awareness. The youths should continue their campaign,” said Prativa Das, a passenger.