In a commendable effort to address the plight of lost and distressed children on railway platforms, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) of Central Railway has successfully rescued a total of 958 children between April 2023 and January 2024. Operating under the initiative “Operation Nanhe Farishte,” the RPF collaborated with the Government Railway Police (GRP) and other dedicated railway staff to bring these children to safety.
The rescued children, comprising 655 boys and 303 girls, were often found on railway station platforms without informing their families. The reasons varied, including family disputes, seeking a better life, or being drawn to the allure of the city’s glamour. Trained RPF personnel played a crucial role in identifying and connecting with these children, understanding their unique challenges, and providing counseling to facilitate their reunification with their families.
The success of “Operation Nanhe Farishte” is further amplified by the collaboration with NGOs such as Childline, which contributed significantly to reuniting the children with their parents. The heartfelt gratitude expressed by many parents underscores the noble service rendered by the Railways in safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable children.
Breaking down the numbers, the Mumbai Division of Central Railway emerged as a leader in child rescues, saving 289 children, including 175 boys and 114 girls. Following closely, the Bhusaval Division rescued 270 children (169 boys and 101 girls), while the Pune Division contributed by rescuing 206 children (198 boys and 8 girls). Additionally, the Nagpur Division rescued 132 children (76 boys and 56 girls), and the Solapur Division rescued 61 children (37 boys and 24 girls).
The commitment of the RPF Central Railway to child protection is evident in the latest statistics for January 2024, where 56 children, including 35 boys and 21 girls, were successfully rescued. Notably, 27 of these rescues occurred in the Mumbai Division alone, highlighting the ongoing dedication to the cause.
