Published On : Mon, Apr 14th, 2014

Unique 36-year-old tradition followed; 7-ft big photo of Dr Ambedkar installed at Nagpur Railway Station

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fiNagpur  News : What happens when poor and needy unite? Well they just don’t unite to become office-bearers of some organization; they work hard for the welfare of their fellow human beings and perform many actions for the welfare of their fellow poor and needy people of our society. The very Coolie who carries our luggage on their heads, unite and donate money from their hard earned lively-hood with a sole aim to do something constructive for the society at large.

The Railway Shramik Jan Kalyan Samitee has been running a Collies Association. There are 11 office-bearers and 160 members (Coolies). They do many activities on April 14 and Dussera. People from all religions take active part in the activities.

Every two years, they change the photographs of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, which is installed right under the clock on the façade of the Main Railway Station. A seven-foot big photograph of Dr B R Ambedkar is installed after reaching a very difficult stretch. Nearly 25-30 people are involved in this process, which is very risky. This installation of the photograph invokes the feeling of patriotism, awe and respect for Dr B R Ambedkar.

In an exclusive talk with Nagpur Today, President of Railway Shramik Jan Kalyan Samitee Gyanshwar Patil, Secretary Suraj Meshram said that they have been observing the Dr Ambedkar Jayanthi every year with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm. He said that since this is the 123rd Jayanthi of Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar, all the members gathered and cut a 17-kilo-cake. GRPF officer Bhabhal, RPF Official More, Station Superintendent Sanjay Das, Central President of Bahujan Human Rights Organisation Balasaheb Meshram, Secretary Sohail Khan, MNS District President Kishore Saraikar, Abhishek Bhatnakar, etc were present.

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On this occasion, they serve food to the beggars, poor and needy who are near the Railway Station. They make arrangements to feed Sharbat to the passengers alighting at Nagpur Railway Station.

The good inter-personal relationship that the Coolies have established with the Police Officials at the Railway station has helped solve many crimes in the past. It is only because of the good nature of these Coolies that the wives of some of their fellow coolies too were allowed by them to earn a decent livelihood at the Railway Station.

On the occasion, the office-bearers of the Association spoke to the gathered audience and said that the entire nation observes and adheres to the Constitution written by Dr Baba Saheb Ambedkar. They said that they salute a great patriot and promise to walk in his foot-steps.

 

Story by Ravikant Kamble, pics by Amol Gajbiye