Message dated 23.2.2004 to IRAS officers from Ms. Vijayalakshmi Viswanathan, FC(Railways).

 

There is a lot to share with all of you! So many of you are taking such wonderful initiatives, which gladden my heart! I was at Bhubaneswar the other day to inaugurate the Accounts Office. A ramshackle shed had been converted into an office with ergonomically designed workstation, LAN et al! Live run of Provident Fund enquiry system added a professional touch to the function. ATM right in the midst of the colony set up by the SBI, promises to change the banking habits – or the lack of it – of Railway men! Can you ever imagine a power point presentation in the foundation stone laying ceremony for a Sports Complex? Again, the President and Secretary are from IRAS fraternity! The camaraderie, infectious enthusiasm and legitimate euphoria prevalent indicated that the new zone is well on its way to settling down.

 

When did you last had an occasion to watch a band playing nice tunes welcoming the Chief Guest? Probably in some RPF function. Now can you visualize such a scene in a professional conference of ISAs and SVs? The traditional and conservative Chennai hosted the Conference in a private air-conditioned hall. The tilting tunes and eye catching visuals, a prelude to the training manual CD for the ISAs and SVs was a totally ‘desi’ effort! A pioneering effort with tremendous impact in a hitherto neglected area!

 

Touch Screen facility for suppliers’ queries regarding the status of their bills and web-enabled module linked to the Indian Railways’ web site were launched amidst good press coverage in the New Joint Office, Perambur, Southern Railway. This ISO certified Stores Accounts Office, not so sought after one till recently, is bubbling with IT activities – ECS, EFT and its own computer center! The beaming faces of officers and staff conveyed much more than the physical transformation!

 

Small steps for a giant leap forward! I could read the comfort and satisfaction writ large on the faces of the General Managers of both the Railways!