VISAKHA BALOTSAVAM 2025 Every year, the Visakha Balotsavam brings together thousands of children from across Visakhapatnam to participate in a wide range of cultural, literary, academic and creative events. Last year alone, over 8,000 students took part, reflecting the trust and enthusiasm this festival has earned over the years. Through Balotsavam, children develop confidence, creativity, leadership, team spirit, cooperation, discipline, and social responsibility. Participation in art, cultural, literary and academic activities helps children enhance their communication and expression skills, while also nurturing values like equality, empathy, respect and collective thinking. In essence, Balotsavam serves as a strong foundation for shaping children into conscious, responsible, and creative citizens of the future. This year, Visakha Balotsavam will be held on 9th, 10th, and 11th December 2025 at St. Anthony’s old primary Telugu Medium School, Jagadamba, Visakhapatnam. We are preparing to include an even larger number of children and ensure high-quality arrangements. For more details please contact Mrs. Modambika (Ph: 9573659684), Vice President, Visakha Balotsavam, Visakhapatnam

ECOR GENERAL MANAGER SHRI PARAMESWAR FUNKWAL REVIEWS KEY INFRASTRUCTURE WORKS IN VISAKHAPATNAM REGION Shri Parameswar Funkwal, General Manager of East Coast Railway, carried out an extensive inspection of major infrastructure projects in the Visakhapatnam region. He reviewed the progress of the ongoing 3rd and 4th line works between Visakhapatnam–Gopalapatnam, Vadlapudi, and Gate Junction to assess milestones and ensure adherence to safety and operational standards aimed at enhancing railway capacity and efficiency. He was accompanied by Divisional Railway Manager Shri Lalit Bohra, Chief Administrative Officer (Construction) Shri Ankush Kumar Gupta, and senior officials from the ECoR Headquarters, Construction Wing, and Waltair Division. The General Manager also examined the redevelopment works at Simhachalam station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme. He reviewed various developmental activities including station building upgrades, passenger amenities, and modern facilities being created to elevate the travel experience at this important pilgrim and tourist destination. Later, Shri Funkwal attended the concluding ceremony of the 72nd Men’s and 11th Women’s All India Railway Weightlifting Championship 2025-26 as the Chief Guest. The event brought together 180 athletes from 17 railway zones, competing across 16 categories for men and women, showcasing outstanding sporting talent across Indian Railways. In his address, the General Manager praised the coordinated efforts of ECoRSA and Waltair Division for organizing the championship on short notice and delivering it successfully at a grand scale. He applauded the athletes for their spirited participation and sporting discipline, and presented trophies, mementos, and special awards. DRM Shri Lalit Bohra served as the Guest of Honour, with senior dignitaries including Shri Ajay Samal, Shri E. Santharam, Shri K. Rama Rao, Shri M. Haranath, and Shri Jusuf Kabir Ansari also in attendance. The General Manager later took part in the 63rd Civil Defense Day celebrations and witnessed a joint demonstration by the East Coast Railway and South Eastern Railway Civil Defense teams. The live drills showcased rescue techniques for high-rise evacuations and first-aid procedures, highlighting the Railways’ strong emphasis on disaster readiness and safety. The program was held under the supervision of Shri Anand Kumar Mutatkar, Senior Divisional Safety Officer, with participation from Deputy General Manager, SER, Shri Pankaj Kumar Gupta. Shri Funkwal congratulated the Civil Defense personnel for their dedication and lauded their skilled demonstrations, recognizing their crucial role in saving lives during emergencies and disaster management operations.

WALTAIR DIVISION COMMEMORATES MAHAPARINIRVAN DIVAS The Waltair Division of Visakhapatnam observed Mahaparinirvan Divas in honour of Bharat Ratna Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at the Divisional Railway Manager’s Office today. Divisional Railway Manager Shri Lalit Bohra, ADRM (Operations) Shri K. Rama Rao, Senior Divisional Personnel Officer Shri Jusuf Kabir Ansari, along with other branch officers and staff, offered floral tributes to Dr. Ambedkar, the eminent patriot and chief architect of the Indian Constitution. Mahaparinirvan Divas was also marked across various sub-divisional offices under the Waltair Division.

INDIAN NAVY SENDS FOUR ADDITIONAL WARSHIPS WITH 1,000 TONS OF RELIEF SUPPLIES TO SRI LANKA Under Operation Sagar Bandhu, launched to provide urgent Search & Rescue as well as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) to cyclone-hit Sri Lanka, the Indian Navy has dispatched four more vessels—INS Gharial, LCU 54, LCU 51, and LCU 57—carrying 1,000 tons of essential relief materials for affected regions. Earlier, INS Vikrant, INS Udaygiri, and INS Sukanya had delivered relief supplies and undertaken helicopter-based search and rescue operations. The three Landing Craft Utility (LCU) ships reached Colombo on the morning of 07 December 2025, handing over vital aid to Sri Lankan officials. INS Gharial is expected to reach Trincomalee on 08 December 2025 to continue the relief effort. The deployment, with substantial humanitarian supplies, highlights the close bonds between India and Sri Lanka and reaffirms the Indian Navy’s commitment to timely support for nations in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).