The Indian Railways has announced special travel arrangements to handle the massive rush of passengers during the Diwali and Chhath festivals. The North Eastern Railway (NER) has rolled out 145 special puja trains, while additional coaches and staff have been deployed to ensure safe and smooth travel.

Special trains and safety measures

According to NER officials, the special trains will continue to operate even after the Chhath festival until all passengers have returned home. Out of the 145 trains, 95 are originating from the North Eastern Railway zone.

A senior railway official said that around two lakh passengers travelled through the network during Diwali alone. “Special trains are being operated in record numbers to accommodate festive travellers. Crowd management plans are in place at major stations with holding areas equipped with drinking water, lighting, train display boards, and public address systems,” the official said.

To ensure passenger safety, additional security forces and staff have been deployed at busy stations.

North Western Railway joins in with added coaches

The North Western Railway (NWR) has also implemented special arrangements for Diwali and Chhath. A total of 44 pairs of special trains are running to and from high-demand routes such as Mumbai, Pune, Howrah, and various destinations in Bihar.

Officials said 174 additional coaches have been attached to nearly 60 regular trains. “Holding areas are being set up in key stations like Jaipur to control crowding and maintain smooth boarding,” the official added.

Crackdown on misleading social media content

Railways has also warned social media users against circulating old or misleading videos of crowded stations. Over 20 social media accounts have been identified for spreading misinformation, and FIRs have been filed.

A 24×7 monitoring team has been tasked with identifying and acting against such accounts. The Railways has urged passengers to rely only on verified social media handles and official notifications for travel updates.

Veteran Bollywood actor and comedian Govardhan Asrani, popularly known as Asrani, passed away on Monday at the age of 84 after a prolonged illness. Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his tribute to the late actor, calling him “a gifted entertainer and a truly versatile artist”.

PM Modi’s Condolence Message

Taking to social media, Prime Minister Modi expressed grief over Asrani’s demise, writing, “Deeply saddened by the passing of Shri Govardhan Asrani Ji. A gifted entertainer and a truly versatile artist, he entertained audiences across generations. He particularly added joy and laughter to countless lives through his unforgettable performances. His contribution to Indian cinema will always be cherished. My condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”

A Career Spanning Over Six Decades

Asrani’s career stretched over 60 years, during which he featured in more than 300 films across Hindi and Gujarati cinema. He made his debut in 1967 with Hare Kaanch Ki Choodiyan, where he played the friend of actor Biswajeet. He went on to act in several hit films including Sholay, Chupke Chupke, Bawarchi, Mere Apne, Anamika, Abhimaan, Bhool Bhulaiyaa, and Dhamaal.

A graduate of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Asrani was equally acclaimed for his comic timing and serious performances. His portrayal of the eccentric jailer in Sholay remains one of Indian cinema’s most iconic comic roles, remembered for his famous dialogue, “Hum Angrezon ke zamane ke jailer hain.”

Remembering A Legend Of Laughter

Over the decades, Asrani became a familiar face in both mainstream and parallel cinema, earning admiration for his ability to switch seamlessly between humor and drama. His last appearance was in Haiwaan, featuring Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan.

As fans and film personalities across the nation pay tribute, Asrani’s legacy continues to inspire generations of artists and entertainers.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his Diwali message to the citizens, invoked Lord Ram’s ideals of righteousness and justice, drawing parallels with India’s recent military operation — Operation Sindoor — conducted in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.

In a letter released on Tuesday, the Prime Minister said, “Lord Shri Ram teaches us to uphold righteousness and also gives us the courage to fight injustice. We have seen a living example of this a few months ago during Operation Sindoor,” referring to the operation that took place from May 7 to 10.

India’s fight against injustice and domestic terror

PM Modi said this Diwali is “particularly special” as lamps will be lit in districts where Naxalism and Maoist terrorism have been eradicated. He described it as a symbol of India’s growing internal stability and peace.

“In recent times, we have seen many individuals abandoning the path of violence and joining the mainstream of development, expressing faith in the Constitution of our country,” he wrote, calling it a “major achievement for the nation.”

His remarks came days after he said that over 300 Maoist rebels had surrendered within 24 hours last week, as part of the government’s intensified crackdown on domestic terror groups.

‘India a symbol of stability amid global crises’

PM Modi said that despite ongoing global conflicts, India has emerged as “a symbol of both stability and sensitivity.” He expressed confidence that India is on track to become the world’s third-largest economy soon.

Referring to recent economic reforms, he noted, “On the first day of Navratri, lower GST rates were implemented. During this ‘GST Bachat Utsav’ (Savings Festival), citizens are saving thousands of crores of rupees.”

Call for ‘Swadeshi’ and social harmony

Urging citizens to adopt local products, PM Modi said, “Let us adopt Swadeshi and proudly say — this is Swadeshi.” He also encouraged citizens to “reduce the use of oil in our food by 10%,” embrace Yoga, and maintain cleanliness and good health.

“Deepavali teaches us that when one lamp lights another, its light doesn’t diminish but grows further. With the same spirit, let us light lamps of harmony, cooperation and positivity,” he concluded.