‘Gandhian menu’ in trains, stations on October 2

If a proposal from the Railways is approved, October 2 will not only be celebrated as Rashtriya Swachhta Diwas but also as ‘Vegetarian Day’ as a mark of respect to Mahatma Gandhi.

The Railway Board has proposed that non-vegetarian food should not be served on railway premises on October 2 in 2018, 2019 and 2020, when the Union government has planned a special commemoration of the 150th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Railways has also planned to run a “special salt rake” from Sabarmati on March 12 to commemorate the Dandi March and ‘Swachhata Express’ trains from Sabarmati to various stations connected with Mahatma Gandhi. It will also issue tickets with a watermark of Mahatma Gandhi’s image.

The plans are subject to approval by the Ministry of Culture, the nodal Ministry for the commemoration.

In a circular to all railway zones last month, the Railway Board said: “October 2, 2018, 2019, 2020 can also be celebrated as a totally vegetarian day when no non-vegetarian food will be served anywhere on railway premises. All the staff will be requested to observe the day as Vegetarian Day.”

The plans include thematic painting of all stations connected with Mahatma Gandhi and setting up of digital museums, depicting significant activities undertaken by him. The Railway Board has proposed that all divisional and zonal headquarters have murals of Mahatma Gandhi.

A special logo, designed by the Ministry of Culture, has been proposed to be displayed outside a coach where the reservation chart is displayed.