Titbits from my Archives: The first heroes of the Northeast Frontier Railway

by B M S Bisht, Retired GM, NFR


Source: 'Indian Railways', February, 1958.

On 15 January, 1958 after the inauguration of the new railway zone - NFR - at Pandu in Gauhati, its General Manager Shri B. Arora presented 4 outstanding employees to the Honorable Minister of Railways Shri Jagjivan Ram and the audience. Shri Syed Fazl Ali, the Governor, who presided over the function honoured them by presenting them special mementoes on the occasion. The citations of these members of staff read as follows:

Shri Kheduah (Gangmate): He joined the service on 1.7.1914 as Carpenter Boy. By dint of merit and hard work he received various promotions and ulitimately rose to the position of a gangmate in 1928, which is the highest posting Class 4 in the sphere of track maintenance. When he retires he will have rendered 45 years of creditable service.

Shri Nar Bahadur Chettry (Head Clerk): He joined service on 3.7.1918 as Painter Boy on the old Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. From this humble position, he by his ability rose to be a clerk. He was further promoted to the post of Senior Clerk and on 1.4.1956 as Head Clerk in grade Rs 160--225 in which capacity he is still working. He completed 40 years of service this year and has 5 more years to serve.

Shri Bhola (Driver): Appointed on 9.10.1916 as Office Call Boy. He has been highly devoted to his work and has passed all stages of promotion of locomotive running staff having worked as a Cleaner, Fireman and Shunter before reaching the present postion of a Driver. This year when he becomes 55, he will have completed 42 years of service on Indian Railways.

Shri Jangbir (Painter): Joined service on 7.1916 as Painter Boy in Tindharia Workshop of the late Darjeeling Himalayan Railawy. His pride in the profession and skill in the use of the brush have given him an eminent position amongst his co-workers. He will have the unique distinction of completing 48 years of service in the railways when he retires in May 1964.