NJO REACH OUT NEWS LETTER MARCH 2008 VOLUME 4.3
lThe third issue for the year 2008 and thirty first from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during March 2008.

Shri M Jeychandren, FA&CAO/S&W/PER has relinquished his present post on 29 th February to take up the prestigious post of Additional Director General - Commonwealth Games, New Delhi. He has been here for a six years in this office and has been with us through the storm and calm. A farewell party by the Accounts Staff of NJO/PER, the first of its kind in the annals of Accounts Office NJO/PER was held on 28th February in Nilgiri Sabha. The staff, officers, representatives of the organized labor and others competed with each other to pay felicitations and encomiums. The function was well attended by staff and they stayed throughout the function from 1530 hours until 1800 hours. Speaker after speaker highlighted his unassuming mingling with the staff, simplicity, will power, dynamic leadership, trailblazing efforts, magnanimity, compassion, mercy etc.

A PERSON SO DYNAMIC AND RESOLUTE: NJO/PER, a non-descriptive office until his arrival reached dizzying heights under his able guidance and stewardship. The entire zone turned back to look at NJO/PER for inspiration and guidance. In fact, the ECS programme even with the older version of TAS, was implemented successfully in the Workshop Accounts Office and the HQ and other office staff were approaching this office for guidance in implementing

COMPUTER SAVVY: As a person with futuristic mind where ever he worked, he paved the way for office automation and transformation. Either in Divisional Accounts Offices like TPJ, MAS, Traffic Accounts Office in Chennai, Construction Accounts Office in Egmore, Chennai, and in NJO/PER. Computerization in these offices was synonymous with his name. He has helped creation of infrastructure for creation of computer centers, hardware, software and computer literacy among the accounts staff.

E’NOVATOR: Under his able leadership, the Stores and Workshop Accounts Offices switched over to the EFT mode of payment to suppliers, ESC facilities for the staff to receive their salaries and PF payments. It is worth mentioning that the ECS scheme was implemented in this office under the instructions of our FA&CAO, even before the Chief Vigilance Commissioner, New Delhi, suggested it.

THE PERSON BEHIND ISO: As an uncompromising person with the efficiency and quality of service, he encouraged the staff to obtain ISO certification. The Workshop and Stores Accounts Office of NJO/PER is the only office in the entire Indian Railways to obtain ISO. To increase the transparency in Govt transactions, further he caused the “e” facilities like the Touch screen, Interactive Voice Response System and internet to the suppliers.

A PERSON WITH COMPASSION AND MERCY: During the heavy rains and cyclonic storm in November 2006, he came to office. He went around the entire building and found the precarious condition of many ceilings, walls etc. He at once gave orders to interact with Divisional Civil Engineering Officers to repair. An estimate was prepared and the work is in progress. He could not keep quiet to see the inconvenience caused to staff. Though he is firm in his convictions, resolute in his will power, he is very gentle too. Not many of us have seen him angry. He used to be firm and demanding yet in his own unique style. Many of us do not know his association with many organizations out side the railways However, with in the railway circle, he has been known for his compassion and mercy for Pensioners, Dependents on Pensioners, Senior Citizens and Students.

HIS MAGNANIMITY: The NJO REACH OUT a social service unit of our office is very grateful to our FA&CAO for his continued patronage to the School Toppers Awards distributed last three years at the Railway Colony Aided High School, just behind NJO/PER. He was enthusiastic about the idea when he was first invited to give away the cash awards and certificates at the school.
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NEW FA&CAO/S&W/PER:
Smt Reena Ranjan, IRAS officer of 1986 batch, has taken over as the new FA&CAO/S&W/PER in place of Shri M Jeychandren. Formerly she was FA&CAO/T/MAS. She had earlier worked in NJO/PER as DY FA&CAO/S/PER for a brief period. NJO REACHOUT /PER extends warm welcome to her and wish her all success in her ventures here in NJO/PER.

WEDDING BELLS
Selvi Vidya Priya daughter of Smt Geetha and Shri V Raman Sr AFA/IC/PER got married to Selvan Karthik, son of Smt & Shri K Sundar, on the 10th February 2008 at the A R Kalyana Mahal, Thiruvanai Koil, Trichy 5 . Shri S Dharmaraj AFA/SII/PER attended the marriage and carried all the good wishes from the officers and staff of Accounts Office / NJO/PER. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Geetha and Shri V Raman Sr AFA/IC/PER

Dr Nirmala daughter of Smt Sivakamavalli, AA Pension Section and Dr V R Murugan got married to Selvan Balamurugan son of Shri R Anandan and Smt Vijayalakshmi, Walajabad on 18 February 2008 at Sri V R Jayarama Chetty Kalyana Mandapam, Vellore and the reception was held at the ICF Kalyana Mandapam, Villivakkam Chennai 38. A host of officers and staff from various accounts offices attended the reception. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Sivakamavalli, and Dr V R Murugan
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LAUGH AWAY:
Why we get reddish color water from the tap sometimes? Because it is coming from Red hills (reservoir)
You make nice coffee! Can you tell me the secret? I cannot reveal it as I have got the “coffeeright” for it
Why she is applying glycerin in her eyes? Because she is going to watch mega serial in TV

LIVE FROM HISTORY: THE PURPOSE OF LIFE
During the early periods of the World War II, when the war clouds were hovering all over the Europe, three supreme commanders of the of the allied nations namely cigar smoking Winston Churchill, iron man Joseph Stalin and the President of USA, Eisenhower met in an undisclosed place by the pool side. While discussing the war strategies, Mr. Churchill, suggested if there were a fish in the pond how they could catch it. Mr. Stalin said that he would take a gun and shoot it. Churchill interrupted what he would do if the aim were missed and bullets were over, Stalin kept quiet. Eisenhower said that he would take a net and fish it out. Again, Churchill interrupted what if the fish jumped out of the net, Eisenhower kept quite. Both Stalin and Eisenhower looked at Churchill stirringly as if they were asking what he would do. Churchill quietly stood up, took a tablespoon and started drying out the water from the pool. Both of them laughed at him. Churchill without standing starred at them and said that in that way the fish would never go out his hands. Both were dumbfounded at his die-hard optimism.

NJO REACHOUT NEWS LETTER
NJO REACH OUT is nothing but you and us.

lThe second issue for the year 2008 and thirtieth from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during February 2008.
INDO-CHINA COOPERATION ON RAIL SECTOR:
The Indian railways are making great strides in the few years under the able leadership of Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav Minister for Railways. Those who laughed at the IR are now amazed by the new heights achieved by it in recent times. The process continues. India and China sign MOU for cooperation in rail sector. The prime minister during his visit to China has caused the MOU. Shri K C Jena, CRB and Shri Liu Zhijun, Minister for Railways, Peoples’ Republic of China singed the MoU on the 14th January 2008. The MoU will cover raising the speed on existing routes, development of world-class stations, heavy haul operations, development of multimodal logistics parts and in research and development.

NEW GM:
Shri UCD Shreni has taken charge as GM Metro Railway Kolkata. He belonged to the 1973 IRSEE batch engineer. He took his B Tech from Aligarh University and M Tech from IIT Delhi. Prior, he was the Additional Member Electrical in Railway Board. He took special training in Project Management in University of Bradford, U K.

Shri A K Goyal of 1973 IRTS batch officer ahs take n over as the new GM of East Coast Railway. He underwent advance operations training in South Korea and was part of expert team to Iraq. Prior, he was additional member – commercial – Railway Board.

NEW DIRECTOR FOR IRICEN, PUNE:
Shri Shiv Kumar has taken over as the new director of IRICEN- the prestigious Indian Railway Institute for Civil Engineering, Pune. He has undergone training in Queensland Railway Australia, Leadership Programme in Stern Business School, New York, USA

Railway earnings up by 12.46 %:
The total approximate earnings of Indian railways on the originating basis during 1st April to 31st December were Rs 50787.95 crore compared to Rs 45161.72 crore during the same period last year registering an increase of 12.46 % . The total freight earnings gone up from Rs 30533.39 crore to Rs 34126.27 cores revenue from other coaching and sundry amounted to Rs 2135.32 crore compared to Rs 1900.12 crore last year. The passenger earnings during first nine motnhs of the financial year were Rs 14526.36 crore compared to Rs 12728.21 crore last year.

RED RIBBON EXPRESS:
The Red Ribbon Express launched on 1st December 2007 from Delhi has traveled through 16 stations criss-crossing Rajastahn, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The exhibition has been a revelation for many who were not aware of the deadly disease called AIDS. Rajiv Gandhi Foundation with the National Aids Contral Organization, Nehru Yuvak Kendras, the Ministry Of Railways and the UNICEF mooted the project. The POH of coaches for the Red Ribbon Express was done at the Carriage and Wagon Workshop, Perambur. The interior decoration was outsourced. There are six coaches and each would exhibit the various aspects of AIDS/HIV and how to prevent it.
New Year lunch hosted by NJO Cultural Association:
For the first time in the annals of the NJO/PER, the NJO Cultural Association organized the New Year paid lunch on Friday 4th January 2008. The response from the staff of Stores and Accounts offices was overwhelming. Shri M Jeyachandren FA&CAO/S&W/PER was the chief guest for the lunch. Many staff and officers attended the lunch and appreciated the effort. A shamiana was erected near the canteen to hold the lunch. Congratulations to the executive and members of the Cultural Association.
WEDDING BELLS
Selvi Suriaya daughter of Smt Shyamala and Shri G Sathyababu got married to Bharathi Raja son of Smt & Shri M Tamilarasan, Sathanur, on the 20th January 2008 at the Rail Kalyana Mandapam, Perambur Chennai 11. A host of officers and staff from various accounts offices attended the reception and the marriage. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Shyamala and Shri G Sathyababu

K Vijayakumar, Steno to Dy FA&CAO/W/PER got married to B Dhanalkshmi on Monday, 28th January 2008 at Veera mahal Thirumana mandapam, Veysarpadi, Chennai 39. many staff and offcers from NJO/PER attended the reception on the earlier day and the marriage. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple.

Selvi Brindha daughter of Smt Malliga and Shri Krishnan got married to Anand (a) Arokiaraj son of C A Gnanaprakasam and Smt Ignaciammal on the 28th January 2008 and the reception was held at the Rail Kalyana Mandapam, Perambur Chennai 11. A host of officers and staff from various accounts offices attended the reception. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Malliga and Shri Krishnan

THE PURPOSE OF LIFE:

Once upon a time, there was a king. He inherited a large kingdom from his father. He has fought neither any battle nor sweat to reach the present status as king. He had everything in life, best food, best house, best clothing, and best servants. Yet he was always found agitated about something and peace eluded him. He tried in dancing, drinking, and making merry. Still he did not find peace. He decided to go around the country in disguise to see if there are happy people in his kingdom and learn from them how to be happy. He traveled everywhere, though villages and towns, forests and lands, meadows and plains, mountains and valleys for a long time. One day he heard a sweet song coming in the air. He followed the sweet song and found a beggar with skimpy and untidy clothes sitting out side his small hut. The king was amazed at the beggar. He wondered how the beggar who does not have any basic needs, felt happy and singing. Unable to control his inquisitiveness he asked the beggar how he is so happy. The beggar took him for a traveler and told him that he had nothing but he is happy. The beggar need not worry about wealth, jewelry, property and money, as he had none of these. The king revealed his real identity. The beggar was petrified, collected his belongings and stood in awe. The offered his golden coat to the beggar but the beggar declined to accept it. He told the king that the golden coat would make him worry and he will not be happy. The king realized his folly and realized that by working to keep others happy a person can be happy always. The king returned to his palace and spent his time in providing for the welfare of his people. Lo, he lived happily thereafter.


Staffs are encouraged to contribute to the newsletter. It is intended to bring a community spirit among the staff of NJO/PER. Any event in the office and personal profiles of exception may be sent for inclusion.

NJO REACHOUT NEWS LETTER
NJO REACH OUT is nothing but you and us.
The first issue for the year 2008 and twenty-ninth from inception is in your hands. NJO REACH OUT wishes those NJO staff whose Birthdays and Wedding Anniversaries fall during January 2008.
Railways and NTPC sign Joint venture agreement. Railways have added another milestone by signing a joint venture agreement in New Delhi with National Thermal Power Corporation Ltd NTPC to set up a 1000 MW power plant- Bhartya Rail Bijelee Company Ltd at Nabinagar Bihar. At present the market share of I R is 63 % of freight traffic and 47.8 % passenger traffic. I R is spending Rs 5700 crore Per year for consumption of 13000 million units electricity. The Nabhinagar plant will be set up with a cost of Rs 5352 Crores will supplu 1000 MW capacity and 10 % of its production will be made available to other users. The equity portions of NTPC 74 % (Rs 1188 Crores) and 26 % (Rs 417 Crores). With this plant IR is likely to save Rs 600 Crores per year.

BUDDHIST CIRCUIT SPECIAL TRAIN:
In a view to promote internal and international tourism through the Indian railways, the present Railway Minister Shri Lalu Prasad Yadav is doing innovative measures through IRCTC. One such is the “MAHAPARINIRVAN” a Buddhist Circuit Special Train. It would carry the passengers to Bodh Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda Kushinagar, Lumbini, Srasvasti the holy Buddhist cities.
AZADI EXPRESS:
It is pertinent to mention that already “AZADI EXPRESS” was introduced on the 150th of freedom struggle in India as train of exhibition on the freedom struggle. Shri Arjun Singh, union minister for human resources, flagged off it. The train has three section covering 1 first war of independence 1857 and the event led to it, 2 period of freedom movement , and 3 country’s progress in post independence period. It travel through 21 stations for 8 months and parking at 68 stations for public viewing. The 12th coach has sales counters for ‘curios and mementos’, khadi and other products connected with India’s freedom struggle.

BOOK RELEASE: A book titled “OUR RAILWAYS “is authored by Shri V Parankusam, who had retired as Senior Auditor Southern Railways, Chennai. This is the second edition and has 22 chapters almost giving a vivid picture about the entire Indian railways. This book can be obtained on payment of Rs 200/- from Shanthi Publishers, 37 Thiruvalluvarpet, Mandaveli, Chennai 28. Ph 044- 24953545.
LAURELS & HONOUR:
dSmt K Vijayalakshmi SR SO /S/PER along with her team in the 14th National Ambulance Meet held at Kanpur, U P during November first week stood first and has won shield and medals in the nursing events. Besides, Selvi Gnanaselvi, AA HQ Gen Accounts/ MAS and Smt Nandhini Panchabakesan Sr SO Mechanical Budget/MAS also had participated in event. NJO REACHOUT /PER congratulates her and her teammates.
Shri V S Muralidhar, SR SO / SL/PER stood first in the Diploma In Multimodal Transport examinations conducted by the Institute Of Rail Transport, Railway Board, New Delhi. He is requested to come over to Rail Bhavan to receive the medals and certificate from Chairman Railway Board and later to dine with him. NJO REACHOUT /PER congratulates him for having stood first in the examination.
AWEDDING BELLS:
NJO REACHOUT/PER extends Christmas and New Year wishes to all the staff and officers of NJO/PER. May the spirit of sharing glow and the New Year bring peace, prosperity and harmony in our midst both at homes and office. U Selvi Subhashini (a) Deborah D/O Smt Amuthvalli, AA Shri Palaniappan, and Selvan Antony Raj S/O Smt & Shri T Sowriraj were married on Wednesday 5th December 2007 at the United Pentecostal Church, Ayanavaram, Chennai. Many staff and Officers from NJO/PER attended the wedding and the reception held at Bishop Manickam Hall Kellysl, Chennai 10. NJO REACHOUT prays the choicest blessings for the newly wedded couple and congratulates Smt Amuthvalli, & Shri Palaniappan, and Smt & Shri T Sowriraj

PORPOSE OF LIFE:

Ramesh is studying in ninth standard. One day while returning from special class he lost his mathematics reader. On having found that the reader is missing, he went back in his bicycle to look for it. He found that some boys were seriously discussing how to dispose a reader they found on the road. Ramesh realized that indeed it was his reader. He approached the boys to hand over the reader to him. The tone of the boys changed as they found out the owner of the book. They demanded Rs 40/- from Ramesh. However, Ramesh was not willing to pay the money and argued that after all, it was his book and his name is written there. Nevertheless, the boys were adamant and will not part with the reader unless some amount is paid to them. Ramesh decided to bring his mother to the place and quietly left the place. His mother was furious to listen to the story. At once she accompanied her son to the place. The boys were still there. When she demanded that the book be returned to her son Ramesh the boys would have none of it. They said in unison that the finder is entitled to keep the book and the finder has the right to dispose the book, as he liked. Mother of Ramesh was frustrated in her attempts to threaten. One of the boys told her that the price Ramesh has to pay for his negligence. Had it not been found by them some others would have found it and the book would have straightaway landed in the old books stores for some meager amount. However, they understood the importance to the book and kept it sage. Are they not eligible to demand some money for safekeeping of the book? Finally, she was convinced and paid the money.