GAURI BAZAR

Indian Railways organised the closing ceremony of the iconic week of ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ o­n 23^rd July, 2022 at nominated 75 freedom railway stations. Darshana Jardosh, Union State Minister of Railways & Textiles, Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines in presence of Pratima Bhoumik, Minister of State of Social Justice and Empowerment interacted with freedom fighters and their families members present at 15 railway stations through video conferencing from Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi. Hon’ble Ministers also felicitated the freedom fighters and their families members present at the centre with Shawls and Mementos. A Bharat Gaurav train namely Divya Kashi Aadi Amavasya Express was flagged off virtually from Madurai station in Tamil Nadu by the Hon’ble Ministers. Shri Anshul Gupta, General Manager of N. F. Railway attended the event through video conferencing from NFR Headquarter along with senior officials. The function was live streamed at all the identified 75 stations associated with freedom fighters across Indian Railways with two way communication link.

As a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, N. F. Railway celebrated week long ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ from 18^th to 23^rd July, 2022. During this event the nine stations of North-eastern states associated with freedom fighters have been highlighted and illuminated to commemorate 75 years of Independence. Thenine stations of North-eastern states are Gohpur, Raha and Sibsagar Townin Assam; Agartalain Tripura; Jiribam in Manipur; Dimapurin Nagaland ; Bhoirabiin Mizoram; Naharlagunin Arunachal Pradesh ; Mendipathar in Meghalaya.

To honour the freedom fighters and highlight their struggle, weekly event of historic programmes were held at the nine stations. 75 nukkad nataks, 128 patriotic dances, 125 patriotic songs, 6 photo exhibitions and 28 patriotic speeches programme were organised across the nine stations of N. F. Railway. N. F. Railway Cultural Association and Bharat Scouts & Guides along with the locals participated in these programmes.

Sibsagar Town railway station under Tinsukia division was connected through video link to celebrate the closing event. Hon’ble Ministers interacted with the freedom fighters and their family members present at the station through video conference from New Delhi. Freedom fighters Shri Khaniram Mili, Shri Gokul Chandra Gogoi, Shri Puneswar Dowarah, Shri Phatik Kakoti, Shri Phulchandra Gogoi and Shri Dhiren Chetia son of freedom fighter Lt. Shri Kuladhar Chetia were present. Shri Dhiren Chetia while interacting with Hon’ble Minsters recall the days of his father’s freedom movement when his father used to travel by railways to spread the message of freedommovement in every corner of the region.

Shri Anshul Gupta, General Manager of N. F. Railway thanked the people of Northeast to make this iconic week celebration a grand success by actively participating in the events at the nine stations of NFR.