69th Foundation Day of National Academy of Indian Railways celebrated in the academy campus

CMD Air India and Former CRB, Ashwini Lohani Director IIM-Ahmedabad, Errol-d’ Souza Chief Guest on the occasion

The 69th Foundation Day of National Academy of Indian Railways was celebrated in the academy campus in picturesque setting of the ‘Raja Baug’ opposite the iconic ‘Pratap Vilas Palace’, which forms the focal point of the Academy. The occasion was marked by a formal programme in which CMD Air India and Former CRB, Ashwini Lohani was bestowed upon with the ‘Distinguished Alumnus Award’, which is a recognition given to one former trainee of the Academy for all round excellence in public service. Director IIM-Ahmedabad, Errol-d’ Souza was the Chief Guest on the occasion.

Before the presentation of the Distinguished Alumnus Award, Director General/ N.A.I.R. presented the Annual Report of the Academy where he spoke in detail about the achievements of the academy. He informed all present that, the Academy had been once again awarded the prestigious ‘ Golden Peacock Nation Training Award’ in 2019. The Academy was also conferred upon with the IGBC Green Certification of ‘Certified’ level under ‘IGBC Green Campus’ rating system.

Speaking on the occassion, the distinguished alumnus awardee, CMD Air India, Ashwini Lohani thanked the Academy for conferring upon him the prestigious award. He also expressed his deep happiness at being given a copy of the photograph of his foundation batch, when he was a 21 year old probationer in the (then) Railway Staff College.

He said that he was “Humbled and Emotionally Touched” by the gesture and was taken back 44 years when he had joined I.R. and was a Probationer in the very same campus. Sharing his life-learnings, he exhorted the audience, especially the trainee officers to continuously tell themselves that they belong to a truly great organization. He said that the greatest resource of an organization-especially of the Indian Railways-is its manpower. He said that that the first three strategies for effective management have to be-H.R, H.R & H.R. He went on to say that “impeccable personal integrity” was an absolute essential for becoming an outstanding officer and a great leader.” We are all servants of the Indian People and let us always remember that” he added.

After the address of Lohani, Medals and Awards were given away to 60 officers of different levels of seniority for their outstanding achievements in various fields and activities during training at NAIR. The Director General’s medals for Group-A, Foundation Courses( 2018 & 2019) went to Akshay Gangarwal and Rajeev Chaudhari, Respectively. The Director General’s medals for Group- A, Medical Foundation (2018 & 2019) went to Dr Shivangi Shukla and Dr Asha Kalwar respectively.

For the first time, Awards were also given away for ‘Best Rural Attachment’ training and Presentations. Other categories in which the awards were given were, ‘Best MDP Project’, ‘ Best Hindi Project’, Best IRAS Probationer award, Ratanlal Memorial Trophy, Lakshmi Sarath Memorial Trophy, Maheshwar Dayal Cup, Best Probationer in sports, and Best Kept Office.

After the award ceremony, Chief Guest ,Director IIM- Ahmedabad, addressed the gathering. He praised the training being imparted at NAIR and said that IIMA and NAIR have a mutually enriching engagement in the field of training of Officers at all levels. Underscoring the importance of training in development of Human Resource, he said that it is effective, timely and well directed training that transforms ordinary individuals into officers of Highest Caliber.

His address was greeted by enthusiastic applause by the audience. Vote of thanks was given by Deputy Director General of NAIR, Shri.V.K.Saxena. The formal programme concluded with the National Anthem. After the formal programme, a Cultural Programme was presented in the Sardar Patel Sabhagar, by the Probationary Officers currently undergoing their Group-A Foundation Programme in NAIR.