JAMNAGAR

      The 41 days old noble service campaign  "Mission Food Distribution" over 6 divisions of Western Rly, has  now been further activated  with new aspects of social service i.e. awareness about social distancing & cleanliness as well as motivation  of the frontline corona warriors by various social organisations like civil defence, scouts & territorial army, at different places over Western Railway.

      According to a press release issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar - Chief Public Relations Officer of W.Rly, o­ne such social service campaign was held at WR's Loco Shed of Vadodara, where members  of Civil Defence, Scouts, Territorial Army & St. John Ambulance Brigade  of Loco Shed  voluntarily performed their special duties by  motivating loco shed staff at work place . They ensured that proper social distance is being maintained at work place and all working staff is wearing suitable masks. They also insisted upon use of paddle operated (hands free) arrangements for washing hands by liquid soap and for drinking water in loco shed. Similarly, motivational speeches are also being given by these volunteers to staff   from time to time for not to afraid with corona, but to sincerely fight with all suitable precautions and maintaining social distance. Meanwhile, the joint mission food distribution by Western Rly & IRCTC entered in 41st day o­n 8th May, 2020, as it was started o­n 29th March, 2020. In last 41 days during lockdown, total 4.98  lakh  food packets have been distributed in all 6 divisions of Western Rly, to various needy &  helpless persons. Out of this, a major share of  2.52 lakh food packets, has been provided by West Zone of IRCTC from its base kitchens at Mumbai Central & Ahmedabad.  Staff of Western Railway from commercial, RPF & other departments with the help of IRCTC, have worked actively, since 29th March, 2020 to provide hot cooked meals to needy persons, during the lockdown due to COVID-19. While delivering the food to needy persons, necessary aspects of social distancing and hygiene  are being ensured minutely by all concerned.In continuation to thismission, o­n 8^th May , 2020, total 7740 food packets were distributed over six divisions of  W.Rly. In addition to IRCTC's community food, Mumbai Central division's commercial staff distributed 1240 meal packets through various NGOs at different places over Mumbai Division, while in Ahmedabad division, 3425 food packets were distributed  other than  IRCTC.    Vadodara  division   distributed 1500 food packets  through Akshay Patra Foundation in Vadodara city. Welfare  Inspectors of  Vadodara division  distributed the Ayurvedic and Homeopathic Medicines to the employees of different sections to boost their immunity to fight against COVID-19. 160   food packets were distributed by W.Rly's local staff and NGOs at Junagadh and Vartej   stations . 150   meal packets were distributed by Rajkot division at Jamnagar, Surendra Nagar, Wankaner and Hapa with the help of  Sai Seva Trust , Jalaram Seva Trust and Reliance Industries Ltd.  215 food packets were distributed at different stations over Ratlam division. Jain Sangh of Vapi distributed  50food packets to housekeeping staff, parcel loaders and other o­n duty staff at Vapi station. . WR's commercial staff also distributed various food packets near Charni Road & Matunga Road stations. Sahakar Charitable Trust of Valsad distributed 800 food packets to needy persons in Dhobi Talav area of Valsad Rly station.

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Western Railway and IRCTC are providing their valuable servicesunder "Mission Food Distribution" to needy persons, continuously during this toughest time of COVID 19 pandemic for last 40 days. Distribution of  food packets is under way to the needy, poor and homeless  people o­n daily basis with the help of  commercial & RPF staff and several NGOs. Community Bhojan made at the IRCTC's base kitchen at   Mumbai Central & Ahmedabad has been prepared & distributed to the most helpless in their darkest hour. In last 40 days, 4.90 lakh needy persons have been benefittted through this joint Mission Food Distribution.

      According to a press release, issued by Shri Ravinder Bhakar- Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Rly, this joint Mission Food Distribution hasentered in its 40th day o­n 7^th May, 2020, as it was started o­n 29th March, 2020. In last 40 days during lockdown, total 4.90 lakh  food packets have been distributed in all 6 divisions of Western Rly, to various needy &  helpless persons. Out of this, a major share of  2.50 lakh food packets, has been provided by West Zone of IRCTC from its base kitchens at Mumbai Central & Ahmedabad.  Staff of Western Railway from  commercial, RPF & other departments with the help of IRCTC, have worked actively, since 29th March, 2020 to provide hot cooked meals to needy persons, during the lockdown due to COVID-19. While delivering the food to needy persons, necessary aspects of social distancing and hygiene  are being ensured minutely by all concerned. In continuation to this, o­n 7^th May , 2020, total 7725  food packets were distributed over six divisions of  W.Rly. In addition to IRCTC's community food, Mumbai Central division's commercial staff distributed 1290 meal packets through various NGOs at different places over Mumbai Division, while in Ahmedabad division, 3425 food packets were distributed  other than  IRCTC.      Under DRM  Benevolent  Fund and the Ayush Mantralaya's guidance,  Ayurvedic  Dr. Shri Umesh Solanki and Homeopathic Dr. Shri Rajesh Modi from Ahmedabad  Division distributed 124 packets of ayurvedic medicines and 110packets of Homeopathic medicines to 140 employees, which will benefit to their 480 family members. Vadodara  division   distributed 1500 food packets  through Akshay Patra Foundation in Vadodara city. In addition to this , Veg. Pulao packets served to approx 150 persons at Nadiad Goods shed and poor persons in nearby area with the help of NGO. 100  food packets were distributed by W.Rly's local staff and NGOs at Bhavnagar and Vartej  stations . 155  meal packets were distributed by Rajkot division at Jamnagar, Surendra Nagar, Wankaner and Hapa with the help of  Sai Seva Trust , Jalaram Seva Trust and Reliance Industries Ltd.  205  food packets were distributed at different stations over Ratlam division. Jain Sangh of Vapi distributed  50food packets to housekeeping staff, parcel loaders and other o­n duty staff at Vapi station. . WR's commercial staff also distributed food packets near Charni Road & Matunga Road stations. Since 24th march, 20  to till date Andheri Rly Colony society of  Western Rly, has distributed 352 Tiffins to the essential service workers including RPF., GRP, Station Master etc. working  near Andheri Rly station . They will continue this noble deed, till lockdown is not lifted.