Vijayawada Division, South Central Railway celebrates International Women’s Day 2023

Vijayawada Division, South Central Railway conducted an event for celebrating International Women’s Day 2023 on 8th March 2023 at Divisional Railway Auditorium, Vijayawada. Dr. Jaya Mohan, President, SCRWWO was the Chief Guest on the occasion and Shri Shivendra Mohan, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division, South Central Railway was the Guest of Honour.

At the outset, Shri M. Bala Muralidhar, Sr. DPO welcomed the dignitaries onto the dais and delivered the welcome address. Smt. Jaya Mohan, President, SCRWWO, Vijayawada and Shri Shivendra Mohan, Divisional Railway Manager, Vijayawada Division inaugurated the event by taking part in the lamp lighting ceremony and conveyed warm wishes to the proud women working force of Vijayawada Division by cutting the cake on the occasion.

Dr. Jaya Mohan in her address stated that Women Employees are the real pride of Vijayawada Division and they are excelling on all fronts with sincerity and dedication. She also said that Indian Railways is always a front runner to the cause of women empowerment in all spheres and every possible way. She said that Division has around 1750 women employees working in various capacities like Loco Pilots, TTEs, Technicians, Clerks, Guards, Engineers, Points women, Station Managers and helpers. She said that women are always an inspiration to society and they are always ready to shoulder higher responsibility during any adversities. She appealed to everyone to strive for Gender equality and achieve a level playing field for women at all levels. She congratulated the Personnel Department for organising the event in a grand manner. Shri Shivendra Mohan, DRM and Dr. Jaya Mohan, President, SCRWWO Vijayawada felicitated 20 women employees from each department for outstanding contributions and meritorious services.

Shri Shivendra Mohan, DRM said that the women employees are an integral part of our workforce and carry their duties on par with their male counterparts. He congratulated the 20 women employees from various departments who were felicitated today for exemplary services during the current financial year. He said that these awards can be given only to a select few, yet the Division acknowledges the hard work being done by all its female staff. DRM emphasized United Nations SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) no. 5- To achieve gender equality and empowerment of women and girl child. He stressed financial independence, and the need for the Mental and emotional well-being of women to perform better and excel in all spheres. He praised the women workforce for performing their dual roles as homemakers and dedicated Railway employees in the daily course.

Earlier, two dramas on “Sexual Harassment at Work Place” and “Govu Grahanam” were enacted by the Staff. Both the dramas received an outstanding response and standing ovations from the audience for depicting gender bias and inequality in an entertaining and emotional way. Stalls of handloom saris, handicraft works and other artwork were set up at the Railway institute to promote women's entrepreneurship. Shri Shivendra Mohan, DRM and Dr. Jaya Mohan visited the stalls and interacted with the stall owners. In the end, Shri Shivendra Mohan, DRM and Dr. Jaya Mohan distributed prizes to the winners of Debate, Essay writing, Rangoli, and poetry recitation competitions.

Shri R C Sahoo, Sr. DEnHM, Shri Sk. Shahabaaz Hanoor, DPO Shri B Saila Sudhakar, APO;; Shri P. Manikya Rao, APO; Shri K. Srinivas, APO other Officers, Representatives of Trade Unions, Inspectors and around 200 women employees took part in the event.