ADDRESS BY THE HON’BLE PRESIDENT OF INDIA, SMT. DROUPADI MURMU ON THE OCCASION OF CALL ON BY PROBATIONERS OF VARIOUS SERVICES OF INDIAN RAILWAYS

I welcome you all to Rashtrapati Bhavan. Only yesterday, I had met young and bright officials of your senior batches in the same auditorium.

It gives me immense pleasure when I see young officials like you who have dreams in their eyes for the country and people. Hence I congratulate you for your selection in various administrative, accounts, security and engineering services of Indian Railways. I am sure that you will contribute your best in serving the nation and the fellow citizens.

I have been listening to your training experiences for the past two days and found them extremely useful to prepare yourself as responsible officers. As you all know that the technological changes are taking place at an unprecedented speed and scale, I expect you to work collectively and make Indian Railways a future ready organisation.

Dear officers,

Unlike any commercial organisation the Indian railways is a social lifeline of the country. At the risk of repeating myself, I will say again that it carries the dreams of ordinary people. At the same time, it’s nationwide connectivity showcases nation’s diversity.

I am happy to know that the Indian Railways is taking major initiatives to promote tourism in the country. Right from the luxury trains to the Tirth Darshan trains and the Bharat Gaurav trains, the Indian Railways has been upgrading its services to provide memorable experiences to the people and to offer glimpses of diverse Indian culture to the Indians and to the visitors from abroad.

I would like to share that the trains and their journeys have always been an important part of people’s lives. From local trains to long distance trains, every train journey creates and witnesses countless stories. Being a very important part of such an establishment which has a strong impact on public life, you must understand that the nation and the people have huge expectations from you. You are capable enough to deal with range of challenges as diverse as building the world’s highest bridges to ensuring hygienic and delicious food and clean toilets to the travellers.

Dear young officers,

We have come a long way from the days of steam propelled engines. The Indian Railways is day by day getting more fuel efficient and adopting innovative and environment friendly solutions too. The railway infrastructure development gives a big boost to the country's socio-economic growth and development. The redevelopment of Railway Stations under ‘Amrit Bharat Station scheme’ using green technology and adding world-class amenities is a great people-centric initiative that will provide strong push to tourism activities and economic progress. I am confident that all the bright young officers present here today will play a productive role in the making of a modernized green Indian Railways and the building of a developed nation.

You all are going to be the foundations of the robust transportation system of the country. Therefore it is important that you acquire the required skills, knowledge and expertise in transport ecosystem as a whole. You should study and adopt the best practices from within the country and those from other countries too. The country needs efficient multi-modal transport system for which rail, road, air and water transportation should be dealt with a holistic approach and not in isolation. I urge you all to work in coordination with the officers of other departments also for achieving the goal of an Atma Nirbhar and developed nation.

I would also like to emphasise that you should strive to work efficiently and persistently against all odds to achieve personal and professional goals. And be ready to face challenging situations, if you want to succeed in life. Whether you are an individual, or part of a group or organization, when you face the challenges and overcome them, you emerge stronger than ever.

In the end I would like to extend my best wishes for your future endeavours. May you make the country proud!

Thank you! 
Jai Hind! 
Jai Bharat!