Dog show draws huge crowds in Visakhapatnam

Visakhapatnam: The 73rd Independence Day was celebrated by Waltair Division of East Coast Railway at Waltair Railway Football Stadium in a grand manner. Divisional Railway Manager Chetan Kumar Shrivastava unfurled the national flag and took part in Rashtriya Salami presented by contingent of Railway Protection Force (RPF), Scouts and Guides and civil defence.

Addressing the gathering at the stadium, Chetan Kumar expressed warm greetings to railway employees and their families. Remembering the sacrifices of freedom fighters, he reiterated that getting freedom was not an easy task and several people sacrificed their lives.

"The railways has been playing vital role in pre-Independence and post-Independence era and stood as an icon for national integration," he said. Apprising the performance of the Division, the DRM mentioned that despite the challenges, Waltair Division showed its best performance. He said the division achieved best performance index of 34.90 with its gross working expenses at Rs 2,785 crore and gross earnings of Rs 7,979 crore.

Impressive cultural activities were organised with the participation of Divisional Cultural Association of Waltair Division and Scouts and Guides. The special attraction of the celebrations was the dog show by the RPF dog squad, which grabbed the attention of spectators from every corner.

In addition, the DRM announced cash awards to performers and organisers who made the programme a grand success. Secretary of East Coast Railway Women's Welfare Organisation Shalini Shrivastava along with members distributed health drinks, fruits to patients at Railway Main Hospital and donated three advanced digital monitor BP machines to Railway Hospital and later participated in a saplings plantation drive.