8 Trains from (LTT)LOKMANYATILAK T to (PUDI)Pudi

-In Andhra Pradesh State, 35 Railway stations are covered with 37 outlets of ‘One Station o­ne Product’

The ‘One Station o­ne Product’ scheme was introduced by the Ministry of Railways with a mission to promote local/indigenous products by providing a market and creating additional income opportunities for the marginalized sections of society. The concept which was announced in the union budget of 2022-23 has since gained momentum and is proving to be a triumph for the local artisans.

On South Central Railway, the ‘One station o­ne product’ concept was initially introduced at six Railway stations for a duration of 30 days. Eventually, with the terrific response received for the pilot project, the outlets have since been spread over seventy Railway stations o­n the zone. At present, 72 Railway stations across SCR are covered with 77 outlets of ‘One station o­ne Product’ giving high visibility to local products in 4 states i.e., Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra and Karnataka under SCR jurisdiction.

In the State of Andhra Pradesh, Thirty-five Railway stations including Vijayawada, Nellore, Rajahmundry, Eluru, o­ngole, Gudivada, Tirupati, Guntur, Guntakal etc., are covered with 37 stalls of o­ne station o­ne product thereby giving a major boost to livelihood and welfare of local artisans. Some of the products include handlooms by local weavers such as traditional Kalamkari sarees; Jute Products, Imitation Jewelry, Wooden Handicrafts, Girijan Products, local delicacies such as Pickles, Masala Powders, Papadas; Shell paintings and Rice art etc.,

Andhra Pradesh is renowned for its hand-painted cotton textile knows as the ‘Kalamkari’. There are two distinctive styles of Kalamkari art i.e., the Srikalahasti style and the Machilipatnam style. The theme of these Kalamkari prints is largely mythological and the process entails as many as fifteen steps. Around eight outlets have been dedicated to the Kalamkari sarees and other handloom sarees and textiles which allows the local weavers to sell their products directly to the public instead of going through the hassle of retailers. These outlets also help to further popularize the art of Kalamkari among the passengers coming to the Railway stations from different parts of the world.

The state of Andhra Pradesh has a rich and varied cultural heritage which led to the evolution of various handicrafts. Wood-carving is also o­ne of the oldest traditional crafts in the State. The wood work crafts of Andhra Pradesh include various objects ranging from household items to dolls and other figurines.  Nearly six outlets of ‘One station o­ne product’ have been set up for selling of wooden handicrafts by local artisans including Wooden Cutlery and Etipokka Lacquerware toys.

Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager expressed that the ‘One station o­ne product’ scheme gives a great opportunity to local artisans to showcase their products. He expressed that Railway stations are well suited to promote indigenous products which are famous at the surrounding places among the travelling passengers.

Testimonials by local artisans:

Smt. Krishna Kumari belonging to the Velagapudi Enterprises was awarded an OSOP outlet at Guntur Railway station for selling of Eco-friendly Jute bags. Sharing her experience, Smt. Kumari stated that “Earlier, we were struggling for a proper marketing platform, however, after the unveiling of our OSOP stall, the Velagapudi enterprises is able to make daily sale of Rs. 5000/- and approximately Rs. 7000/- during festive seasons. We have also been conducting skill development training programs for women and deprived groups which will be effective in allowing them to earn additional income”, she said.

·Traditional Welcome and festive atmosphere greets the pilgrim passengers.

·Railways to start next Bharat Gaurav Train from Secunderabad connecting Mata Vaishnodevi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, etc from 10th June 2023.

 Shri G. Kishan Reddy, Hon’ble Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and Development Of North Eastern Region, Govt. of India flagged off “Ganga Pushkarala Yatra: Puri-Kashi-Ayodhya” Bharat Gaurav Tourist Train today i.e., 29^th April, 2023 at Secunderabad Railway Station. Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager, SCR, Shri Abhay Kumar Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager, Secunderabad Division, Shri. P. Raj Kumar, GGM, IRCTC along with other Senior Railway officials participated the flagging-off of the Bharat Gaurav Train.

 Speaking o­n the occasion, Shri G. Kishan Reddy stated that Indian Railways is providing a great opportunity to the pilgrim passengers all over India with the introduction of Bharat Gaurav Trains to showcase India’s rich cultural heritage and magnificent historical places to the people of India and the world. Bharat Gaurav Trains have evoked a great response from the people of two Telugu states. Indian Railways aims to leverage the core strengths of the professionals of the tourism sector to run pilgrimage based trains to tap the vast tourist potential of India. He also stated that Railways is also introducing Mata Vaishnodevi with Haridwar – Rishikesh Bharat Gaurav Tourism Train from 10^th June to 18^th June, 2023.

 Shri Arun Kumar Jain, GM, SCR stated that the train offers a unique opportunity to pilgrim passengers to visit these culturally prominent places without the hassle of planning individual itinerary items. He stated that, Bharat Gaurav trains will give major fillip to the growth of Tourism in the country, while also fulfilling the desire the tourist passengers in the most convenient manner.

 The 3^rd Bharat Gaurav Train from the two Telugu states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh commenced its journey from Secunderabad Station today. A festive atmosphere prevailed at the station premises with Rail Yatris being greeted with traditional welcome and Kuchipudi dancers evoking cultural heritage of the two Telugu states.

 Introduction of Bharat Gaurav Trains is a testament of the continuous endeavor of the Indian Railways to provide enhanced train services to the rail passengers in the two Telugu states. This train provides a unique opportunity to the pilgrim passengers of both the Telugu speaking states.

 Â·Till now, two trips (on 18^thMarch and 18^th April 2023) have already been operated under the initiative and have seen enthusiastic response from the passengers, with the train being fully booked (about 700 passengers in a trip).

·Already, the 4^th and 5^thtrip have also been announced which will be commencing o­n 13^th May 2023 and 27^th May 2023 respectively.

 Third trip of Bharat Gaurav Train from SCR

 Â·The third trip of the present Bharat Gaurav Train coincides with the Sacred Pushkaralu in the holy river Ganga being held from 22^nd April to 3^rd May, 2023.

·    The train provides a unique opportunity to pilgrim passengers of both Telugu states by providing boarding / de-boarding facility at: Secunderabad, Kazipet, Khammam, Vijayawada, Eluru, Rajahmundry, Samalkot, Visakhapatnam and Vizianagaram.

·The Train will take the pilgrim passengers to visit some of the most sacred religious places of Hindus viz., Kashi, Ayodhya, Puri, Konark, Prayagraj and Gaya.