Indian Railways is mostly viewed as a vital service provider and key driver of Indian economy : Sadananda Gowda

Speaking on the occasion, Railway Minister Shri D.V.Sadananda Gowda said that Indian Railways is mostly viewed as a vital service provider and key driver of Indian economy. So to highlight and focus on the artistic and cultural dimension of this great organization is a unique and a praiseworthy effort. He congratulated the National Rail Museum for this remarkable publication and the authors S. Mani & Lily Pandeya for writing it.Shri Gowda said that Railways everywhere have been rightly credited as being the harbinger of industrial progress and politico economic unification of a nation. When the Government thinks of development in any sector, Indian Railway invariably think of its  role  in it. However, not many have given the Railways its due for the role that it plays in the everyday life of people – in their work & vacations, festivals & celebrations, joys and sorrows, journeys and destinations.

Shri Gowda said that it is heartening to learn that such a large number of artists came forward for this ingenious experiment, appropriately titled SAFAR – the Journey. The Art project undertaken by Bangalore Division in 2011 – 12 serves as a prime example of civic engagement as the community of artists found their muse and expression at the Railway platform. Through their art works, they have not only infused a new life but also reinvented the cultural tradition of Railways. This may inspire other stakeholders like journalists, students, theatre artists to come forward for similar ventures.

Shri Gowda said that he always commended the good job done by the various Zones and Divisions of the Railways and especially by the National Rail Museum in preserving the locomotives, carriage and wagons and other artefacts. He said that several photo exhibitions of bygone era of Railways have been held successfully at various places. He congratulated Bangalore Division for not only organizing the art camps but also creating an art gallery and a cartoon gallery to preserve the precious art works. It is a matter of pride that Bangalore City Railway station may very well be the first to have such galleries on the platform. These need to be preserved and protected as valuable property of the Railways.