Lucknow | Railway employees and theatre artists paid heartfelt tribute to renowned cultural activist, writer and playwright Safdar Hashmi and Ram Bahadur Nepali on their death anniversary by organizing a cultural programme at the Passenger and Freight Coach Factory in Alambagh, Lucknow.
The programme was jointly organised by Amuk Artist Group and the Northern Railway Mazdoor Union. The event began with floral tributes being offered to the portraits of Safdar Hashmi and Ram Bahadur Nepali. Northern Railway Mazdoor Union branch secretary Arvind Singh, branch president Dinesh Yadav, branch vice-president Abhineet Kumar Jain, Junior Engineer Ram Avatar Singh, Senior Section Engineer Jitendra Kumar Verma, and noted cultural activist Anil Mishra ‘Guruji’ paid homage to the legendary artists.
Prior to the theatrical performance, artists presented powerful mass songs that filled the employees with enthusiasm and created a patriotic atmosphere across the venue. Under the direction, concept and writing of Anil Mishra Guruji, the street play “Hum Kranti Karenge” was staged effectively. The play featured impactful performances by Shashank Pandey, Anamika Singh, Shobhit Rajput, Rahul Pratap Singh and Jyoti, drawing strong applause from the audience.
Addressing the gathering, Northern Railway Mazdoor Union branch secretary Arvind Singh said that the sacrifices of Safdar Hashmi and Ram Bahadur Nepali can never be forgotten. He emphasised that their social contributions would always inspire future generations. He also highlighted the union’s continued struggle to secure the Old Pension Scheme for railway employees currently under the New Pension Scheme, stating that the fight for employees’ rights would continue.
Branch vice-president Abhineet Kumar Jain, while paying floral tribute, said that society today needs cultural icons like Safdar Hashmi and Ram Bahadur Nepali more than ever, and their martyrdom would always be remembered.
Senior journalist Rajveer Ratan, theatre director Dharamshree Singh, Anoop Mishra, Adhyayan, Aadya, actor Sonal Thakur, Shashwat Shukla, magician Suresh, painter Vinod Vishwakarma, along with several theatre artists and railway employees, were present on the occasion.
