DRM HONORS RAILWAY STAFF WITH SAFETY AWARDS 2025-26 FOR OUTSTANDING VIGILANCE AND SAFETY COMMITMENT The Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) Safety Awards 2025-26 were presented today to honor the outstanding vigilance and dedication of Railway staff from the Waltair Division, East Coast Railway, who played key roles in preventing major accidents through their timely actions and alertness. Shri Lalit Bohra, the DRM, awarded these Safety Awards to staff members from various departments, including Trackmen, Keymen, Station Masters, and Loco Pilots, whose quick responses and professionalism helped safeguard railway infrastructure and ensured safe train operations. The following employees were recognized for their exemplary contributions: Shri Kumar Sahab, Trackman (Tyada) – Identified and repaired a broken check rail, preventing a potential accident in July. Shri Suresh Kumar Sahoo, Trackman (Dabpal) – Detected a fallen boulder blocking the track and halted train movement in August. Shri Jnanaranjan Sahoo, Trackman (Badenarpur) – Alerted authorities about boulders on both up and down tracks, enabling timely safety measures in August. Shri Rakesh Kumar, Keyman (Kawargaon) – Reported rainwater overflow on a major bridge during heavy rains, averting a possible hazard in August. Shri N. Vara Prasad, Track Maintainer (Kaklur) – Flagged a track obstruction caused by a fallen boulder in August. Shri M. Kurmarao, Track Maintainer (Kaklur) – Ensured safety during a night patrol by reporting an obstruction in August. Shri M. Krishnam Naidu, Pointsman (Kantakapalle) – Prevented a fire hazard by detecting brake binding and a suspected hot axle on a moving freight train in September. Shri D. Santhosh Kumar, Station Master (Paliba) – Quickly responded to and halted a passenger train after noticing technical brake binding in September. Shri B. Tirupathi Rao, Senior Assistant Loco Pilot (Visakhapatnam) – Identified a broken spring during locomotive inspection, allowing for safe detachment and replacement in July. Shri G. Nagesh, Senior Section Engineer (Design Drawing) – Completed vital station drawing assignments and implemented safety-enhancing modifications for signaling during 2024-25. These employees demonstrated exceptional commitment to railway safety by acting swiftly in potentially dangerous situations, ensuring the safety of passengers and the smooth operation of the railway network.

INDIA''S FIRST MAHE-CLASS ANTI SUBMARINE WARFARE CRAFT JOINS WESTERN NAVAL COMMAND The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mahe, the first of the indigenously designed and built Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft (ASW-SWC), during a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on 24th November 2025. The event was hosted by Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, and presided over by General Upendra Dwivedi, Chief of the Army Staff. Senior naval officers, representatives from Cochin Shipyard Ltd, Kochi, and distinguished guests were also present at the ceremony. Named after the historic coastal town of Mahe on the Malabar Coast, the ship embodies the town’s rich maritime heritage and its tranquil estuary, reflecting the ship’s balance of elegance and strength. The ship’s crest features the Urumi, a flexible sword from Kalaripayattu, rising from stylized blue waves, symbolizing agility, precision, and lethal grace. The Cheetah, her mascot, signifies speed and focus, while the motto "Silent Hunters" emphasizes the ship’s stealth, vigilance, and readiness. INS Mahe, the lead ship of eight vessels in the Mahe-class, was designed and constructed by Cochin Shipyard Limited in collaboration with several Indian firms, including BEL, L&T Defence, Mahindra Defence Systems, and NPOL, as well as more than 20 MSMEs. The project underscores India’s growing naval design and system integration capabilities and reinforces the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. With over 80% indigenous content, INS Mahe stands as a symbol of India’s commitment to indigenization and the development of cutting-edge technologies. The commissioning of INS Mahe significantly enhances the Indian Navy’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capabilities, particularly in coastal and shallow waters. Equipped with advanced weapons, sensors, and communication systems, the ship is capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing sub-surface threats with precision. It is designed for sustained operations in shallow waters, integrating multiple combat systems into a compact, highly effective network. During the ceremony, General Upendra Dwivedi emphasized that the induction of INS Mahe not only strengthens the Indian Navy’s combat capabilities but also demonstrates India’s growing expertise in designing, constructing, and deploying advanced combat platforms using indigenous technology. He highlighted that the commissioning of this vessel will significantly boost the Navy’s ability to ensure near-sea dominance, enhance coastal security, and safeguard India’s maritime interests across the littorals. He also noted the importance of synergy across land, sea, and air in future multi-domain conflicts, citing Operation Sindoor as a model of joint operations between the Army and Navy. The Mahe-class vessels will serve as the first line of coastal defense, working in harmony with larger surface combatants, submarines, and aviation assets to maintain constant vigilance over India’s maritime zones. With the commissioning of INS Mahe, the Indian Navy reaffirms its commitment to being Combat Ready, Cohesive, and Aatmanirbhar, ensuring the protection of India’s seas and contributing to a Viksit Samriddha Bharat.