'Azadi Express' a huge success, Dasmunsi tells House

NEW DELHI: Azadi Express, the mobile train exhibiting the important epochs of Independence struggle, has proved to be huge success as it goes from town to town.
    
In a statement made in Parliament, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Priyaranjan Dasmunsi said the special train was conceptualised to inspire the public in general and youth in particular 'with the spirit of our glorious freedom struggle' and selfless sacrifice.
    
Each of the twelve coaches of the train has unique theme depicting pre-1857 era, First War of Independence, advent of Mahatma Gandhi, resurgent India and its march to progress, development of parliamentary democracy and the last coach has a souvenir shop.
    
The train was flagged off on the birth centenary of 'one of the noblest sons of India' Shaheed Bhagat Singh on September 28, 2007 from Safadarjang Railway Station in New Delhi, Dasmunsi said.
    
It is expected to cover 21 states over a period of eight months, halting at 70 stations before returning to Delhi on May 11, 2008.
    
Dasmunsi informed the House that more than 2.5 lakh people visited the train during it three-day halt at Porbandar, Gandhi's birthplace. Lakhs of people also turned up to see the train as it passed through Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh.
    
The train is at present in Nagpur in Maharashtra, where it is receiving 'unprecedented response', the minister said.