- Shri Pralhad Joshi Hon’ble Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines of India participates in the program as Chief Guest and Interacts with Freedom fighter across the Nation present at various Railway stations.
- Shri K. Chandra Prakash Rao, Freedom fighter from Warangal shares his experiences of struggle for Independence with the Nation
As part of ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ concluding day celebrations held at Hyderabad Railway Station today i.e., 23rd July, 2022. Shri K. Chandra Prakash Rao, Shri P. Mohan Rao and Shri G. Galaiah Freedom fighters from Telangana region have been felicitated on the occasion. They have also participated in the virtual interactive session with Chief Guest, Shri Pralhad Joshi, Hon’ble Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines of India, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve, Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways, Smt. Darshana Jardosh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways, Shri Vinay Kumar Tripathi, Chairman and CEO, Railway Board.
Indian Railways has been celebrating week-long ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ under the aegis of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ from 18th July, 2022. The closing ceremony of the Iconic Week celebrations was held at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, Delhi today i.e., 23rd July, 2022 through a nationwide video conference at 15 Railway stations. Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager (In-charge) SCR, Shri A.K Gupta, Divisional Railway Manager, Secunderabad Division also participated in the event virtually from Hyderabad (Nampally) Railway station along with freedom fighters from our Telugu State.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri K. Chandra Prakash Rao, Freedom fighter from Warangal shared his experience with the Nation. He narrated his story of freedom struggle and how he was inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, Shri Balgangadar Tilak, etc., to fight for the independence of our Nation. Under the leadership of Swami Ramananda Tirtha he had actively participated in the student rally and was sent to Warangal jail for the same. He stated that when he joined school he was deeply inspired by the teachings of Gandhi Ji. In the year 1946, when he was a Bala Bhatudu under Shri Hayagrivachary, a prominent freedom fighter, he met Mahatma Gandhi at Warangal Railway station on his way to Wardha Junction. He also stated that flying the tri color was banned by Nizam government, despising the local orders the Indian National flag was hoisted by freedom fighters and we all went underground till the liberation of Hyderabad on 17th September, 1948.
The nation has been celebrating Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav across the length and breadth of the country to commemorate 75 years of independent India. As part of the same, the Indian Railways decided to celebrate this historic occasion by giving special focus to 75 Railway stations and 27 trains associated with the freedom struggle across the Nation.
The four Railway stations on the zone i.e., Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Guntur and Gadwal have been blooming with festivities during the week. Various activities such as Nukkad Natak, dance and patriotic songs programs were conducted at all the four Railway stations remembering the freedom movement. Further, videos and audio songs/jingles were played at the stations. Selfie points were also organized at these stations to make it a memorable experience for the rail passengers. In addition, SCR’s prestigious Telangana Express – Hyderabad to Delhi was flagged-off by freedom fighters from Hyderabad Railway Station as Part of the ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ Program.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Raosaheb Patil Danve stated that the program is a noble initiative by the Government of India to celebrate 75 years of independence and the glorious history of its people, culture and achievements. It is a very happy moment to meet and interact with our freedom fighters and their family members to learn more about their struggles and legacy, he said. Further, he complimented the entire team of Indian Railways and the zones for their commitment in successfully executing the iconic week celebrations.
Smt. Darshana Jardosh, Hon’ble Minister of State for Railways called upon the people to celebrate the legacy of our freedom struggle every single day. She said that we should all recall our freedom struggle with pride and honor those who laid down their lives for an independent India.
Later, Shri Arun Kumar Jain congratulated the team SCR for their dedication in making the iconic week celebrations a grand success. He stated that the ‘Azadi Ki Rail Gadi Aur Station’ activities were planned to pay respect to our great freedom fighters who have been instrumental in India achieving its independence. The events have spread the message of the contribution and sacrifices of various freedom fighters to the public, he added.
