Railway Protection Force (RPF) Inspector Chandana Sinha was conferred with the ‘Ati Vishisht Rail Seva Puraskar’, the highest service honour of Indian Railways.
Sinha, representing the Lucknow Division of Northern Railway, was recognised for her extraordinary leadership in ‘Operation Nanhe Farishte’ throughout 2024 and 2025.
Under her direct supervision, her team successfully tracked down and rescued 40 minors who had been trapped in the clutches of child labour or separated from their families.
Union Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw presented the award at a national ceremony in New Delhi, celebrating Sinha’s commitment to transforming the railway network into a safe corridor for vulnerable children.
Operation Nanhe Farishte
‘Operation Nanhe Farishte’ is a flagship humanitarian initiative of the RPF dedicated to protecting children found in distress across India’s vast railway network. Historically, railway stations have been vulnerable transit points for trafficking.
Inspector Sinha’s tenure in the Lucknow Division stood out because she moved beyond routine patrols, implementing a high degree of vigilance.
Her team was specifically trained to identify subtle signs of distress in children loitering at platforms or on moving trains. This award highlights the success of the 2024–25 campaign, which saw Sinha’s unit serving as a model of operational excellence and compassion.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
At The Logical Indian, we believe that the true measure of a society lies in how it protects its most vulnerable members.
Inspector Chandana Sinha represents the heart of public service, a rare blend of professional vigilance and care that sees a human being where others might only see a statistic.
We advocate for a world where every child can grow up with safety and dignity, free from the exploitation of labour. Sinha’s recognition is a reminder that one individual’s dedication can indeed spark a ripple of positive change.
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