The Railway Protection Force (RPF) celebrated its 39th Raising Day by organizing a parade at RPF Training Centre in Moula-Ali, Hyderabad. This is the second time that a national level parade of RPF was held outside of New Delhi. Last year, it took place in Lucknow.
The event was attended by Union Minister of State for Railways Raosaheb Patil Danve, who received the grand salute of the parade as the chief guest. In his speech, Danve praised the services of the RPF and highlighted their dedication and bravery. He mentioned that RPF personnel have risked their lives during incidents like the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai and the Balasore tragedy. He also noted that the RPF has the largest percentage of women among paramilitary forces, with 9% female representation. Danve further mentioned ongoing redevelopment work of 1,309 railway stations under the Amrit Bharat Yojana.
The Minister also awarded various medals to 42 RPF personnel, including the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service and the Indian Police Medal for Meritorious Service. The Director General of RPF discussed the force’s initiatives to ensure safe train travel, including the use of technology and prompt resolution of passenger security-related complaints. He also highlighted the Meri Saheli initiative, which provides security to women passengers traveling alone, and mentioned that over 230 Meri Saheli teams are deployed at major railway stations.
The parade consisted of more than 200 RPF personnel, with 11 platoons showcasing different skills and formations. The event also featured performances such as martial arts, Gedi Dance, Silent Rifle Drill, Malkhamb, and a bike show. Additionally, the Director General inaugurated a Cyber Cell classroom, a renovated Security Conference Hall, a new Divisional Reserve Coy building, and an RFID-based Armoury management system at various locations.
Overall, the RPF’s 39th Raising Day celebration showcased their commitment to ensuring the safety and security of train travel through various initiatives and the dedication of their personnel.
