GOHPUR

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.

To commemorate 75 years of Independence of our nation, Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is being observed across the country. To mark this auspicious occasion, Ministry of Railways is celebrating ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ event for which 75 stations which are related to the freedom struggle have been selected across the country for decoration and 27 trains have been selected for spotlighting. As a part of this event, 09 stations under N. F. Railway which are associated with freedom fighters will be illuminated. The nine stations of North-eastern states are Gohpur, Raha and Sibsagar Townin Assam; Aagartalain Tripura; Jiribamin Manipur; Dimapurin Nagaland ; Bhoirabiin Mizoram; Naharlagunin Arunachal Pradesh ; Mendipathar in Meghalaya.

 Central programme was organised at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi o­n 18^th July, 2022. o­n the occasion, Shri V.K. Tripathi, Chairman & CEO, Railway Board addressed the celebrations across Indian Railways from Rail Bhawan. He advised all the General Managers and Divisional Railway Managers to celebrate this program with enthusiasm and involve more and more people in this program.

As a part of the celebrations in Northeast Frontier Railway, Shri Anshul Gupta, General Manager, N. F. Railway inaugurated the iconic o­ne week event of “Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station” in a function held at Guwahati Railway Station o­n 18^thJuly, 2022. Family members of freedom fighters were invited in the occasion where they were felicitated with mementoes in presence of senior railway officials and other dignitaries. Shri Anshul Gupta felicitated Nripendra Kumar Majumder, son of freedom fighter Lt. Mamat Chandra Majumder from Hajo of Kamrup district; Binay Ranjan Sarma, son of freedom fighter Lt. Bidya Ram Sarma from Sipajahar of Darrang district; Shri Kamal Chandra Lahkar, son of freedom fighter Lt. Lohit Chandra Lahkar from Dehar Kuchi of Nalbari district; Dwigendra Mohan Sarma, son of freedom fighter Lt. Bipin Sarma from Koniha under Kamrup District. Similar programmes were also organised at all nominated stations of this zone. The iconic week will continue till July 23, 2022.

Speaking o­n the occasion, the General Manager, N. F. Railway remembered the name of Freedom fighters who spearheaded the movement from North-eastern states and sacrificed their life to get independence from the British regime and who have an inordinate link with these stations or areas. He briefed about the role and sacrifice of freedom fighters from Northeast like Kanaklata Baruah, Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi, Maniram Dutta Baruah, Jitendra Chandra Paul, Bir Tikendrajit Singh, Rani Gaidinliu, Haipou Jaduannang, Shoorvir Pasaltha Khuangchera, Matmar Jamah, U Kiang Nangbah, Togan Sangma, Moje Riba etc.The General Manager also spoke about Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the nation who had visited Assam 4 times in 1921, 1926, 1934 and 1946 and that the state had a special place in his heart. He also informed that N. F. Railway has planned a series of events throughout the iconic week with active involvement of all the stakeholders, scouts and guides, railway officials and common people in these stations. Activities like light and sound shows, photo booths, nukkad nataks etc. will be done at the stations during this period.

      N. F. Railway urges the people of Northeast to make this iconic week celebration a grand success by actively participating in the events at the 9 stations of NFR.