RAILWAY MINISTER INAUGURATES ARTWAYS
EXHIBITION
The Union Minister
of Railways Shri Nitish Kumar inaugurated a fortnight long exhibition
of railway paintings titled "Artways 2002" at Lalit
Kala Academy here today, the exhibition, organized by South Eastern
Railway, Kolkata is a tribute from reputed painters and artists
to Indian Railways in its 150th year of glorious existence.
Speaking on the occasion,
the Minister lauded the exhibits and said that these paintings
were the true reflection of the people’s romance with the railways,
the glory of the composite culture and mini India that trains
reflected. Besides, the Minister said that the country’s industrial,
economic and technological growth were, in fact, the growth of
Indian railways since April 16, 1853, when the first train ran
on a 34 kilometre stretch between Boribundar and Thane in Mumbai.
The Minister congratulated the officials of South Eastern Railway
for their good job as well as such a marvelous painting exhibitions.
Later talking to
the media, the Railway Minister ruled out hike in rail fare and
freight in view of Iraq war. The Minister said that the Government
would absorb rise in petroleum prices especially High Speed Diesel
largely consumed by the railways even if the Gulf war prolonged.
The painting exhibitions
display paintings of 21 eminent artists and painters who participated
in a five-day workshop in September-October 2002 at Vishakhapatnam
that was organized by South Eastern Railway to commemorate 150th
year of Railways in India. The paintings would later form part
of permanent display in National Rail Museum, New Delhi.
