Visakhapatnam, March 08:To mark the International Women's Day (IWD), an all-women crew special train was flagged off from Visakhapatnam to Rayagada by Parijata Satpathy, President East Coast Railway Women's Welfare Organization (ECoRWWO), Waltair division.
Vice President of ECoRWWO Kavita Gupta, Secretary Priyanka Sridevi and other executive members of ECoRWWO also took part in the ceremony.
Waltair Division formed exclusive women's teams at Loco Sheds who are engaged in maintenance of crucial parts of Locos and also operates an exclusive women's security team, 'Meri Saheli' which takes care of women passengers on trains or at the station.
Speaking on the occasion, Parijata Satpathy said, "It is the time to reflect on the progress made, to label for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their community and society. It gives me immense pleasure to share that the entire train 08504 Visakhapatnam-Rayagada special is manned today by women employees and the entire staff at Visakhapatnam railway station in operations, commercial, RPF are also women."
Three women who drove the goods train were loco pilot Sahana Kumari, Assistant loco pilot K.Nagamani and train manager M.Kalyanni. The four ticket checking staff were S. Ambili, G.Atchutamba, K.Santoshi Rao and D Radha.
To mark the eve of International Women's day, a walkathon was organized under the aegis of Women's Welfare Organization led by Parijata Satpathy at RK Beach. Divisional Railway Manager Anup Satpathy, ADRM (Operations) Manoj Kumar Sahoo, Senior Divisional Personnel Officer RNA Parida, Sports Officer Praveen Bhati and other branch officers, women staff, sports women, RPF, Civil Defense personnel took part in the Walkathon.