Varanasi: In a remarkable public health awareness initiative, the country’s flagship Vande Bharat Express transformed into a platform for life-saving education as renowned expert and government medical officer Dr Shivshakti Prasad Dwivedi conducted an intensive cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) training session for passengers on board on Monday.
Empowering Citizens with Life-Saving Skills
The unique programme aimed at empowering ordinary citizens with the knowledge and confidence to respond effectively during medical emergencies, particularly sudden cardiac arrest — a condition where every second can mean the difference between life and death.
Dr Dwivedi provided practical demonstrations of CPR techniques, explained the critical importance of the “golden minutes” following a cardiac arrest, and guided passengers to recognise warning signs and initiate immediate intervention before professional medical help arrives.
Expert Insights on CPR
“CPR is not just a medical procedure; it is a life-saving skill that every citizen should possess. A trained bystander can become the first responder and significantly improve a victim’s chances of survival,” Dr Dwivedi told participants.
Passengers participated enthusiastically in the training, describing it as an eye-opening and empowering experience. Many expressed appreciation for the opportunity to learn a skill that could one day help save a family member, friend, or fellow traveller in an emergency.
Community Preparedness and Public Participation
The initiative drew widespread appreciation for taking health awareness beyond hospitals and classrooms and directly to the public. By bringing life-saving education into one of India’s most modern trains, the programme underscored the growing importance of community preparedness and public participation in emergency response.
