Central Railways (CR) and Western Railways (WR) gave a memorable start of the iconic week of “Azaadi ki Rail Gaadi aur Stations” event with various activities organized as part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations on July 18, 2022 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai.
Shri Anant Laxman Gurav and Shri Motilal Shankar Ghongade, both Freedom fighters and families of 7 more freedom fighters flagged of the historic Punjab Mail from platform no 18, CSMT in presence of Anil Kumar Lahoti, General Manager, Alok Singh, Additional General Manager Central Railway and Shalabh Goel, Divisional Railway Manager, Mumbai Division. Both the Freedom fighters along with families of 7 more Freedom fighters were also felicitated during the event.
Speaking to the media, the General Manager said “Railways have played an important role in the freedom struggle movement. It is a matter of pride that Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Pune, Satara and Nashik Road stations of Central Railway and Punjab Mail and Hutatma Express from Central Railway have been selected to be a part of this “Azaadi ki Rail Gaadi aur Stations” event. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai is an important part of history since the first train on Indian sub-continent ran from here and Mumbai has been one of the centres of the freedom struggle movement. It is also a proud moment for Central Railway that one of the most prestigious and oldest train, the Punjab Mail has been flagged off.
The oldest and one of the most prestigious train on Central Railway, the Punjab Mail was one of the 27 trains selected over Indian Railways to be decorated and flagged off as part of the celebrations. The Punjab Mail, which had its maiden run out of Ballard Pier Mole station on June 1, 1912, completed 110 years of its service recently.
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, a UNESCO World Heritage site, city icon and headquarters of the Central Railway was one among the 75 Railway Stations selected is one of the most photographed building in India was specially illuminated to commemorate this historic occasion.
The “Azaadi ki Rail Gaadi aur Stations” event also featured Nukkad Natak by Artistes of Central Railway and Deshbhakti songs by the Central Railway RPF band. Principal Head of Departments, Senior Officers from Headquarters and Mumbai Division of Central Railway were also present during the occasion.
Meanwhile, WR held an inaugural function of the ‘Azadi ki Rail Gadi aur Stations’ celebrations was held at Mumbai Central station in the presence of G V L Satyakumar, Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division and various dignitaries. Freedom fighter Anant Laxman Gurav and family members of late freedom fighters i.e. Indumati Pawar wife of Late Daulatrao Pawar and Shantabai Jadhav wife of Late Khandu Jadhav graced the occasion with their presence & were felicitated.
In continuation to this, Bandra Terminus – Ahmedabad Lokshakti Express and Ahmedabad – Dadar Gujarat Mail were flagged off by freedom fighters and family members of freedom fighters. At Navsari station, a Nukkad Natak was staged and patriotic dance was performed by students of Railway School, Valsad. At Bardoli station school students along with a railway staff sang a patriotic song. Niranjanaben daughter of freedom fighter was felicitated. At Porbandar station, award-winning artist Jayesh Hingrajiya performed an engaging impersonation of Gandhiji and his life.
Patriotic songs were sung by different teams along with a nukkad natak performance by Bharat Scouts & Guides cadets of Bhavnagar and mantra recitation by Vidyapati students of Sandipani Gurukul. At Sabarmati station, a photo gallery, nukkad natak, selfie point have been organized for people to participate in this mega event. All these stations were illuminated in hues of the tricolor and digital screens displayed patriotic videos. Nikunj Bhai family member of Late Freedom Fighter Lakshmibhai Somchand Tapodhan flagged off Gujarat Mail from Ahmedabad station.
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