Khurda, June 1: Passengers at Khurda Road Railway Station were left intrigued on Sunday morning when a train adorned with flowers rolled into Platform No. 6. Many assumed they were about to witness the launch of a new train service. The locomotive, beautifully decorated with floral arrangements, certainly looked ready for a grand inauguration.
But what unfolded was something far more emotional.
As music suddenly filled the air, veteran loco pilot Prafulla Kumar Behera stepped down from the locomotive. Within moments, he was surrounded by colleagues, friends, family members and well-wishers. Flower garlands were draped around his neck, bouquets were presented, and warm embraces replaced formal greetings. It was not the beginning of a railway journey—it was the celebration of one that had lasted decades.
For Mr. Behera, Sunday marked the final chapter of a distinguished career on the rails. After operating the Okha–Dwarka Superfast Express from Puri to Khurda Road, he completed his last official duty as a loco pilot. Waiting at the station was a crowd eager to honour the man who had spent years ensuring that thousands of passengers reached their destinations safely.
Soon, the station transformed into a celebration venue. Music, dancing and cheers accompanied a colourful procession as Mr. Behera was escorted out of the station. Seated in a specially decorated vehicle, he was taken around different parts of the city while admirers lined up to greet him. What initially appeared to be a railway event became a moving tribute to a life dedicated to service.
The farewell was not merely about one individual. It reflected a cherished railway tradition that has survived generations. Across the Indian Railways, retiring loco pilots and guards are often accorded special send-offs in recognition of the immense responsibility they shoulder throughout their careers.
“People see trains arriving and departing every day, but few realise the sacrifices made by those operating them,” said Santosh Kumar Nishank, National Executive President of the All India Guard Council. He pointed out that loco pilots and guards work through holidays, festivals and night shifts, often spending days away from their families while ensuring the safe movement of passengers.
Railway officials say the tradition dates back to the era of steam locomotives. In those days, aspiring drivers began their careers as firemen before gradually rising through the ranks. The journey from trainee to mail and express train driver was long and demanding, making retirement a milestone worthy of celebration.
According to Rakesh Mohanty of the All India Loco Running Staff Association, such farewell ceremonies also strengthen the bond among railway employees. “A railway career is not defined by fixed working hours. It requires discipline, sacrifice and commitment. When a colleague retires after decades of service, we celebrate not just the end of a career but the legacy of dedication he leaves behind,” he said.
As the festivities concluded and the applause faded, one thing remained clear: the flower-decked train that arrived at Khurda Road was not introducing a new service. Instead, it carried the story of a man who had spent a lifetime keeping India's railways moving—and who, on his final day in uniform, received the farewell he had earned through years of unwavering service.
