This young IRTS (Indian Railway Traffic Service) officer has earned a name for herself through her many innovative initiatives in a very short span of time. For this, she is now being honored with the highest award of Indian Railways, ‘Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Award’.
The 2017-batch IRTS officer is Prashasti Srivastava, who is currently working as Divisional Commercial Manager, Agra division, North Central Railway.
The 30-year-old officer spearheaded the inventive concept of a conveyor belt used in loading and unloading of goods from wagon, thereby saving time in freight train operations. Apart from this, she has taken some other important initiatives as well. And all these initiatives were considered by Indian Railways, when they announced the award.
Two other much talked about initiatives of hers is when she made Agra and Mathura stations more accessible for disabled people, and one regarding revenue being generated with reservation forms.
She will receive the award from the Railway Minister, Mr Ashwini Vaishnaw, also a former IAS officer of 1994 batch, on December 15, 2023.
In this exclusive video interview with Indian Masterminds, just before receiving the award in Delhi, Ms. Prashasti Srivastava discussed her initiatives, family background, inspiration from father, and her UPSC journey.
What was her reaction when she got to know she has been selected for the highest award of Railways? For this award, which of her initiatives were considered most? How did those ideas come to her mind and where will they be implemented in the future?
To know this and more, watch the video interview:
