NFR Inaugurates “Karmveer Puraskar” to Honor Acts of Bravery and Dedication
Northeast, August 18, 2024 — In a historic initiative, the Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has launched the “Karmveer Puraskar” awards, a prestigious accolade designed to recognize extraordinary acts of bravery and dedication within the railway community. This new award, introduced for the first time in the NFR zone, seeks to acknowledge the contributions of both ordinary citizens and railway employees whose actions have significantly enhanced passenger safety and well-being.
The inaugural awards ceremony took place during the Independence Day celebrations, with N.F. Railway General Manager Shri Chetan Kumar Shrivastava presenting the honors. Each awardee received a citation and a cash prize in recognition of their commendable efforts. Shri Shrivastava praised the recipients, highlighting that their courage and commitment reflect the core values of the Indian Railways and set a standard for others to follow.
One of the ceremony’s standout moments was the recognition of Smt. Supriti Acharjee, a resident of Bilthai in North Tripura. Despite not being a railway employee, Smt. Acharjee showed exceptional vigilance on August 7, 2024, when she discovered a rail fracture between Dharmanagar and Panisagar stations. She quickly alerted the railway administration through Helpline No. 139 and mobilized local residents to prevent a potential catastrophe. Her selfless actions were instrumental in averting disaster, earning her the title of “Karmveer” and a well-deserved cash reward.
Other honorees included:
- Shri Lakshmi Rajak, Track Maintainer-I at New Jalpaiguri (NJP), who identified a rail fracture near New Jalpaiguri Yard.
- Shri Ajay Kumar Maurya, Assistant TL & AC in Tinsukia (TSK) Division, who managed an electrical short circuit on the Chandigarh-Dibrugarh Express.
- Shri S.K. Shoriful, Pointsman-B at Thingou in Lumding (LMG) Division, who averted a train disaster during a track washout.
- Shri Mukesh Kumar Rajak, Inspector of the Railway Protection Force (RPF) at Chaparmukh (LMG) Division, who played a key role in removing unauthorized structures and intercepting narcotics.
- Smt. Sarika Kumari, Lady Sub-Inspector at New Jalpaiguri (KIR) Division, who apprehended a notorious criminal while risking her life.
- Shri Kanak Basu, Sub-Inspector at Hasimara (APDJ) Division, recognized for curbing touting activities and recovering PRS tickets.
- Shri Amitabh Gogoi, Assistant Sub-Inspector at Tinsukia (TSK) Division, for seizing over 57 grams of brown sugar and apprehending drug peddlers.
- Shri Jitu Das, Constable at Rangiya (RNY) Division, honored for rescuing three human trafficking victims.
- Shri Milan Kumar Minj, Track Maintainer-III at Alipurduar (APDJ) Division, for preventing a potential accident by addressing missing rail clips on a critical bridge.
The “Karmveer Puraskar” awards are set to become an annual event, fostering a culture of bravery and exemplary service within the Indian Railways. This initiative aims to inspire both railway personnel and civilians to uphold the highest standards of safety, integrity, and dedication.
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