Hajipur/Patna: East Central Railway marked International Women’s Day with a special event at Vaishali Railway Auditorium in Hajipur, celebrating the contributions of women railway employees and promoting gender equality. The function was inaugurated by general manager Chhatrasal Singh and Sunita Singh, president of the East Central Railway Women Welfare Organization.
As part of the event, the organisation distributed Rs 80.30 lakh in scholarships from the Employees Welfare Fund to 446 daughters of railway employees across the five divisions and headquarters. The beneficiaries are pursuing higher technical and professional education.
Speaking at the event, Chhatrasal Singh extended his wishes for International Women’s Day and highlighted the progress made by women across social, cultural, political, and economic spheres. He noted that around 100,000 women are employed in Indian Railways, with approximately 5,000 serving in key safety-related roles within East Central Railway, including officers, doctors, paramedical staff, loco pilots, station masters, engineers, guards, and track maintainers.
Sunita Singh emphasised the importance of International Women’s Day in recognising women’s achievements and advancing gender equality. “Women’s leadership is being appreciated worldwide, and Indian Railways is no exception,” she said, adding that the presence of President Droupadi Murmu at the helm of the country reflects the growing influence of women in leadership.
In addition to the felicitation ceremony, a health check-up camp was organised at the East Central Railway headquarters under Sunita Singh’s leadership. Principal chief medical director Dr. Subodh Kumar Mishra and specialist doctors examined the health of 54 women railway employees and advised them on health awareness. The vice president and executive members of the organisation were also present at the event.
