128 Trains from (SBI)SABARMATI JN to (SDGM)SARDARGRAM

WESTERN RAILWAY COMMENCES CELEBRATIONS OF THE ICONIC WEEK OF ‘AZADI KI RAIL GADI AUR STATIONS’ WITH GREAT FERVOUR

Precursor event as part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations

Photo caption: In the first photo, Shri V.K. Tripathi – Chairman & CEO, Railway Board is seen addressing the video conference o­n the commencement of “Azadi ki Rail Gadi aur Stations”event; senior officers of WR are seen attending the conference. In the second photo, Shri G.V.L Satyakumar- DRM Mumbai Central is seen felicitating Freedom Fighter Shri Anant Laxman Gurav at Mumbai Central. The third & fourth photos are of Sabarmati & Porbandar stations respectively.

Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav is an initiative of the Government of India to celebrate 75 years of Independence and the glorious history of the country's people, culture, and achievements. As part of these celebrations, Indian Railways is celebrating the iconic week of “Azadi ki Rail Gadi aur Stations” at 75 stations and 27 trains from 18^thto 23^rd July, 2022. These specific trains & stations mark important places & events which are associated with the glorious history of India’s struggle for freedom. In continuation to this, Western Railway is partaking in the festivities of the week with great enthusiasm.

Chairman & CEO, Railway Board, Shri Vinay Kumar Tripathi inaugurated the Iconic Week Celebrations of the ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi aur Stations’ o­n 18^th July, 2022 in Rail Bhawan. Highlighting the importance of 75 identified stations/27 trains in the freedom struggle, Indian Railways has organized week-long celebrations from 18th July-23rd July.Speaking o­n the occasion, Shri Tripathi said, “As a part of the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, the event ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi aur Stations will be held during this week called as Iconic Week, under the overall spirit of Jan Bhagidari and Jan Andolan, which will showcase the convergence of the values and glories of the freedom struggle of the past with the aspirations and dreams of a young, new and iconic India. This week will culminate with the Milestone function o­n 23rd July 2022. He also said that the Iconic Week Celebration will be very impactful across the country and more vibrant around the Freedom Stations & Spotlight Trains to kindle the patriotic spirit in the minds of travelling public and people at large.

According to a press release issued by Shri Sumit Thakur – Chief Public Relations Officer of Western Railway, to celebrate the week, out of the 75 stations over Indian Railways, 5 stations of Western Railways have been chosen which hold national importance in the various stages of the freedom struggle of India. These stations have been decorated & will be illuminated in tricolor during the week. Digital screens displaying short films o­n the freedom struggle has been installed at these stations to make people aware of the country’s history. Patriotic songs, street plays, and light-sound shows have been organized at these stations. In addition to these, selfie points have also been set up at these stations, and photo exhibitions are also being organized. Freedom fighters and their families were invited at these iconic stations, who were then felicitated. It was heartwarming to relive & listen, as they narrated the glories of the struggle for Independence. The 5 stations of WR which have been chosen are Porbandar famously known as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi; Sabarmatifamous for Sabarmati Ashram, which was established by Mahatma Gandhi to promote cottage industries; Navsari, it was here where Mahatma Gandhi challenged the British government's Salt Law. This incident is a milestone in the freedom struggle; Adas Road - Following Bapu's values ​​of non-violence, 5 freedom fighters achieved martyrdom in the Quit India Movement in this place; Bardoli- The Bardoli Satyagraha under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel for the farmers of Bardoli against unjust raise in taxes during the British Raj was a major episode of Civil Disobedience in the Indian independence movement.

As part of the ‘Azadi ki Rail Gadi aur Stations’celebrations, 09 trains of Western Railway will be decorated and flagged off by freedom fighters & family members from various stations throughout the week. Historical facts about these trains will be displayed for the information of people. Some of the selected trains include Lokshakti Express, Ashram Express, Sabarmati Express, Ahimsa Express, Gujarat Mail, Ahmedabad-New Delhi Rajdhani Express etc.

On 18^th July, 2022, the inaugural function of the ‘Azadi ki Rail Gadi aur Stations’ celebrations was held at Mumbai Central station in the presence of Shri G V L Satyakumar, Divisional Railway Manager of Mumbai Division and various dignitaries. Freedom fighter Shri Anant Laxman Gurav and family members of late freedom fighters i.e. Smt. Indumati Pawar wife of Late Shri Daulatrao Pawar and Smt. Shantabai Jadhav wife of Late Shri 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. Smt Niranjanaben daughter of freedom fighter was felicitated. At Porbandar station, award-winning artist Shri 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. Shri Nikunj Bhai family member of Late Freedom Fighter Shri Lakshmibhai Somchand Tapodhan flagged off Gujarat Mail from Ahmedabad station.

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Central Railway

Press Release

Celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’, General Manager, Central Railway flagged off a Motorcycle Rally, Digital Video Wall and Run for Unity from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus.

Our country is celebrating ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ commemorating the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. Many programmes are being organized by Central Railway, Railway Protection Force since 1st July 2022.

As part of the celebrations, today o­n 16.07.2022, Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, General Manager flagged off various programmes, a running open Truck with Digital Video Wall to make public aware about safety, security and cleanliness, a Motorcycle Rally to Sabarmati Ashram and a Run for Unity at the Historic Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, Mumbai.

Speaking o­n the occasion Shri Anil Kumar Lahoti, General Manager said “As part of the ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations, Central Railway Railway Protection force has organised various programmes, 9,327 saplings have already been planted and a total of 60 thousand saplings will be planted at various places o­n Central Railway, Jal Seva was organised with the help of NGOs, LED screen mounted truck will go to different stations to create public awareness about safety, security and cleanliness, Motor Cycle Rally from 7 important places of the zone to Sabarmati Ashram which will culminate in Delhi.” Shri Alok Singh, Additional General Manager, Shri Ajoy Sadany, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Shri Shalabh Goel, Divisional Railway Manager, Principal Heads of Departments and other officials of Central Railway were present o­n the occasion.

At 75 stations of five divisions of Central Railway, i.e Mumbai, Nagpur, Bhusawal, Pune and Solapur, LED screen mounted open truck will play videos of the achievements of Railway Protection Force and will create public awareness about safety, security and cleanliness at stations and surrounding area. being shown. Railway Protection Force bands will also play music at these stations. Families of 80 freedom fighters are being felicitated.  Swachhta Abhiyan is being run with the help of NGOs at 75 stations.

The Motorcycle rally flagged off today by General Manager from Chhatrapati Shivaji, Maharaj Terminus arrived from 7 important places of the zone covering all divisions i.e., Mumbai, Bhusaval, Nagpur, Pune, Solapur, Panvel and Kolhapur passing through all the important places of the divisions, which reached CSMT o­n 15th July 2022. Railway employees/officers from different places of Central Railway participated in the run for unity.

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Date: July 16, 2022

PR No.2022/07/42

This press release is issued by the Public Relations Department, Central Railway, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Mumbai.