8 SEPTEMBER2023INFOCUSINFOCUSThe Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has appointed Jaya Verma Sinha as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Railway Board, making her the first Indian woman to hold this prestigious position in the 166-year history of the Indian Railways.Jaya's extraordinary career in the Indian Railways began in 1988, when she joined the Indian Railway Traffic Service (IRTS). Her current responsibilities include monitoring freight and passenger transport services across the vast Indian Railways network as a Member of Operations and Business Development at the Railway Board, Ministry of Railways.Jaya has succeeded in a variety of areas over her 35-year tenure with the Indian Railways, including operations, marketing, information technology, and vigilance. She created history by becoming South Eastern Railway's first female Principal Chief Operations Manager. She has also held crucial roles such as Northern Railway's Principal Chief Commercial Manager and Sealdah Division's Divisional Railway Manager. Her service as the Railway Advisor at the Indian High Commission in Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulted in the launch of the legendary Maitri Express from Kolkata to Dhaka.The nomination of Jaya as Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board reflects her exceptional leadership and skills in Operations and Business Development. Her term, which begins on September 1, 2023 and runs beyond her superannuation with a further re-employment period from October 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024, demonstrates her unshakable commitment to the railway sector's growth.Jaya's selection not only displays her excellent qualities, but it also reflects the increased acknowledgment of gender diversity and inclusiveness in leadership within India's railroads. The Railway Board, a 1905 institution, is now creating history as a woman assumes the lead as Chairman and CEO for the first time, marking a key milestone in Indian Railways history.Jaya's appointment heralds in a new age for Indian Railways, promising new ideas, creative solutions, and continuous success in one of the country's most essential industries. JAYA VERMA SINHA BECOMES FIRST WOMAN CEO OF INDIAN RAILWAYSINDIAN WOMEN NAVY OFFICERS PREPARE TO CIRCUMNAVIGATE THE GLOBE IN 2024 WITH MENTOR CDR ABHILASH TOMYTwo Indian Navy officers, Lt Cdr Dilna K, and Lt Cdr Roopa A, are set to embark on a circumnavigation sailing expedition in 2024 aboard the vessel Tarini. Their courage and confidence have been bolstered by their previous success in the trans-ocean inter-continental "Goa to Rio & Back" expedition.To prepare for this challenging mission, the Indian Navy's Ocean Sailing Node has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with Cdr Abhilash Tomy (Retd), an ace circumnavigator and Golden Globe Race hero, who will serve as their mentor and coach. The aim is to replicate the feat achieved by six women officers years ago, and the ultimate goal is to undertake a solo woman mission to circumnavigate the globe.Under the tutelage of Cdr Tomy, Lt Cdr Dilna and Lt Cdr Roopa will undergo rigorous training over the coming months. This training will include numerous short and long sailing voyages in the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean. Cdr Tomy will also mentor participants of other sailing expeditions and share his experiences through motivational talks with trainees at various naval training establishments.The signing of the Memorandum of Agreement was a significant moment and was witnessed by VAdm Krishna Swaminathan, Controller of Personnel Services and Vice President of the Indian Naval Sailing Association (INSA), and RAdm Rajesh Dhankhar, Commandant Naval War College. VAdm Swaminathan praised the two women officers for their impressive ocean sailing achievements and thanked Cdr Abhilash Tomy for his unwavering support of the Navy's ocean sailing endeavors.'Sagar Parikrama IV,' as envisioned by the Navy, will be an unprecedented venture and a major step forward in India's ocean sailing journey. Lt Cdr Dilna K and Lt Cdr Roopa A previously showcased the power of Nari Shakti (women's empowerment) by completing the challenging voyage from Goa to Rio de Janeiro, via Cape Town and back, sailing for an impressive 188 days on the INSV Tarini.Ocean sailing gained popularity in the Indian Navy after Captain Dilip Donde became the first Indian to accomplish this feat in 2009-2010, with Cdr Abhilash Tomy subsequently elevating it to a prestigious sporting event.
< Page 7 | Page 9 >