NE NEWS SERVICE
CHENNAI, AUG 15
The Tricolour rose over the Railway Stadium, Perambur, on Saturday as Southern Railway marked the 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour, recalling the sacrifices of freedom fighters while celebrating the collective contribution of railway personnel to the nation’s growth and connectivity.
🇮🇳 General Manager Shri U. Subba Rao hoists the National Flag at Southern Railway's 80th Independence Day celebrations in Chennai.#IndependenceDay2026 #SouthernRailway #indianrailways pic.twitter.com/owUiOFW5sJ
— Southern Railway (@GMSRailway) August 15, 2026
General Manager U. Subba Rao, Southern Railway, hoisted the National Flag in the presence of K. Arul Jothi, IG-cum-Principal Chief Security Commissioner, RPF, and received the Guard of Honour before taking the salute at a parade comprising RPF contingents and the St. John’s Ambulance Brigade.
- 80th Independence Day marked with patriotic fervour at Perambur Railway Stadium
- GM U. Subba Rao hoists Tricolour, receives Guard of Honour from RPF and St. John’s Ambulance contingents
- Southern Railway highlights safety, efficiency, reliability and passenger service as growth pillars
- ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign adds patriotic colour across major stations and railway hubs
The celebrations were attended by Vipin Kumar, Additional General Manager, Principal Heads of Departments, Shailendra Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai, U. Lalitha Devi, President, Southern Railway Women’s Headquarters Organisation, officers, staff and their family members, besides representatives of recognised labour unions and associations.
Addressing the gathering, U. Subba Rao highlighted Southern Railway’s performance across various operational and service parameters during FY 2025-26 and up to July 2026, and commended the dedicated service of its officers and staff.
He said the profound contribution of railway personnel continues to be a harbinger of the Zone’s growth and progress.
Recalling the sacrifices of the freedom fighters, the General Manager emphasised that it is the collective responsibility of every citizen to carry their vision forward and contribute to the progress of the nation.
He also described Indian Railways as a powerful symbol of national integration, adding that Southern Railway, as an integral part of the country’s vast transportation network, continues to uphold its legacy through its commitment to safety, efficiency, reliability, passenger service and excellence.
The formal ceremony was followed by a vibrant cultural programme featuring captivating patriotic dance performances by students of Railway schools and Ashraya School for special children.
The RPF added further spectacle to the celebrations with impressive Malkhamb, a traditional Indian sport combining gymnastics and yoga on a wooden pole, and a spectacular human-pyramid performance.
Tricolour transforms railway landscape
The 80th Independence Day celebrations extended beyond Perambur as Southern Railway embraced the ‘Har Ghar Tiranga’ campaign, with monumental National Flags hoisted at major railway stations across the Zone.
Several iconic railway hubs were also illuminated in the Tricolour, transforming the railway landscape into a vivid expression of national pride and reinforcing the patriotic spirit among passengers, railway employees and the public.
At various railway establishments in Chennai, senior officials also hoisted the National Flag. Sushil Kumar Maurya, Chief Administrative Officer, Railway Construction Organisation, Egmore; Shailendra Singh, Divisional Railway Manager, Chennai; and Suvas Chandra Kar, Chief Workshop Manager, Perambur Carriage Works, hoisted the National Flag at their respective offices.
Utpal Parna Hazarika, Member (Technical), Railway Claims Tribunal, and Pratibha Devendra Yadav, Chairman, Railway Recruitment Board, also hoisted the National Flag at their respective railway offices in Chennai.
The Independence Day celebrations were simultaneously observed with patriotic fervour across Southern Railway’s six divisions, workshops and field units, turning the occasion into a Zone-wide celebration of freedom, service and national integration.
