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Indian railways ad shows Delhi in Pakistan

Another media blunder on the part of India was identified when the Indian Railways showed Delhi located in Pakistan in its advertisement published in newspapers on Saturday. The advertisement also showed Kolkata in the Bay of Bengal. However, Eastern Railway, which released the advertisement, blacklisted the advertising agency after the goof.

Earlier, a Union Government advertisement had displayed the photograph of a former Pakistani air chief.

The latest advertisement was meant to announce the launch of a luxury tourist train by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee. A small part of the advertisement showed the train’s route from Kolkata to Delhi.

Eastern Railway Chief Public Relations Officer Samir Goswami apologised for the mistake and said the advertising agency had been suspended.

Almost all leading newspapers in India published on Saturday a railways department’s advertisement that shows capital New Delhi located across the border in Pakistan.

According to zeenews.com, the Eastern Railway’s ad appeared to announce the inauguration of Maharaja’s Express, from Kolkata to Nalanda.

The railways authorities, however, absolved themselves of any responsibility, saying it was the fault of the advertising agency.

“It is a great mistake. We apologise for this. The advertising agency has been suspended,” Eastern Railway’s chief public relations officer Samir Goswami said.

The railways authorities had provided the Kolkata-based advertising agency with the route details only, and not the map, officials said.

The owner of the advertising agency said the route alignment had been given for the benefit of passengers. “The map and the alignment are an artist’s impression and not to scale. It is never our intention to create a controversy,” he said.

Newspapers in Lahore published on Friday an advertisement by the Punjab police carrying the insignia of the Indian Punjab police.

Two months ago, Indian newspapers published an ad carrying the picture of PAF’s former chief instead of the Indian air chief.