UditVani, Jamshedpur : Tatanagar Railway Civil Defence Inspector Santosh Kumar has brought pride to South Eastern Railway after being awarded the National Medal and Citation by the Ministry of Railways, Government of India, for his outstanding service and commitment to disaster management.
The award ceremony, organised under the aegis of the Railway Board with support from the Ministry of Home Affairs, was held at Rail Bhawan, New Delhi.
The honour was presented by Ajit Kumar Jha, Executive Director, Railway Board, in the presence of senior officials.
Santosh Kumar was the sole recipient from South Eastern Railway at the national level.
He earned the distinction for regularly conducting mock drills, enhancing volunteer efficiency, promoting teamwork, and significantly contributing to disaster preparedness initiatives.
Over the years, Kumar has spearheaded disaster management training, public awareness campaigns, and emergency response exercises across Chakradharpur Division and other railway zones.
His work extended beyond railways, supporting voter awareness drives during state and national elections, and providing disaster training at community health centres in partnership with the Jharkhand government.
He has previously received several prestigious recognitions, including the Special Rail Service Award (2024), PCSO Award (2022), Senior SDGM Award (2018), Chakradharpur DRM Awards (2002, 2005, 2007), and Senior DEE Awards (2010, 2017).
One of his landmark contributions was during Operation Sindoor, when he trained nearly 18,000 citizens in civil defence measures during air raid drills.
He also provided training to around 10,000 loco pilots at the Electric Loco Pilot Training Centre, Tatanagar, strengthening the railway’s disaster response capacity.
This national honour stands as a testament to Santosh Kumar’s tireless dedication, marking not just a personal milestone but also a source of inspiration for railway employees and civil defence personnel nationwide.
