Railways renames 'Howrah Kalka Mail' as 'Netaji Express' after Parakram Diwas announcement

Days before the 125th birth anniversary celebrations of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Ministry of Railways on January 19 in its release informed that it has renamed Howrah Kalka Mail as "Netaji Express". Taking to Twitter, Union Railways Minister Piyush Goyal said that 'Netaji's Prakram had put India on the express route of freedom and development.' 

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Ministry of Railways renames Howrah Kalka Mail

Release from Ministry of Railways read, "Regarding naming of 12311/12312 Howrah Kalka Mail as "Netaji Express", Ministry of railways approves naming of train no 12311/12312 Howrah Kalka mail as "Netaji Express". Ensure compliance and action accordingly. Matter most urgent."

Started in the 19th Century as one of the early commercial passenger train services in India, the Kalka Mail has always enjoyed steady patronage and popularity connecting Howrah with Kalka. It is said that Bose took this train from Gomoh in Bihar after he escaped from his house in Kolkata in 1941.

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PM Modi likely to visit West Bengal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to visit poll-bound West Bengal's capital Kolkata to attend the celebration of Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's 125th birth anniversary on January 23 at Victoria Memorial and National Library Programme, say sources. The Government of India has also announced that it has decided to observe Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's birth anniversary every year as Parakram Diwas. The Centre announced its move to pay tribute to the freedom fighter to inspire the youth of the nation to 'act with fortitude in the face of adversity'. Ahead of Netaji's 125th birth anniversary this Saturday, the Ministry of Culture issued a circular on Tuesday announcing January 23 to be observed as Parakram Diwas every year from now on.

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West Bengal elections 2021

The Legislative Assembly election for 294 seats in the State is likely to be held in May 2021. Home Minister Amit Shah who was on a visit to the State in November, had exuded confidence of winning over 200 seats in the upcoming polls, a highly ambitious figure after the party won 18 seats of the 42 seats of West Bengal in 2019 Lok Sabha election. The saffron party has emerged as the main challenger for the TMC. Moreover, Home Minister Amit Shah and BJP National President JP Nadda have planned a visit to the state every month for party campaigning until the election month arrives.

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While the BJP has slammed the ruling party for the political violence and the issue of law and order in the state, the TMC has retaliated back vowing to never allow "outsiders" to take control of Bengal. At present, TMC holds 222 seats and claims to get 200+ in the upcoming assembly polls, despite BJP giving a fierce competition with dozens of TMC MLAs and workers joining BJP. Raking up issues of political violence and corruption, the BJP is asking Bengal voters to bring an end to the 'dictatorship' of Mamata Banerjee and once again establish a 'Sonar Bangla'.

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