Why in News
Indian Railways Highest Honour for Chandana Sinha: Indian Railways has conferred its highest institutional honour on Chandana Sinha, a senior officer of the Railway Protection Force.
She has been recognised for her sustained and impactful work in preventing child trafficking across railway stations and trains.
The award highlights the growing role of railways not only in transportation but also in social protection and crime prevention.
Profile of Chandana Sinha
Chandana Sinha is a senior RPF officer known for her ground-level intervention strategy.
Her work goes beyond routine policing and focuses on identification, rescue, and rehabilitation of trafficked children.
Instead of treating rescued minors as offenders, she promoted a victim-centric approach, ensuring dignity and safety during rescue operations.
Her leadership helped embed child-sensitive practices within railway policing.
Railways as a Trafficking Corridor
Railway networks are frequently exploited by traffickers due to high passenger density and anonymity.
Every year, thousands of runaway and trafficked children travel unnoticed across states using trains.
Static GK fact: Indian Railways operates one of the largest rail networks in the world, carrying over 20 million passengers daily, making surveillance a complex task.
Recognising this vulnerability, the RPF functions as the first line of defence against child trafficking on railway premises.
Key Contributions of Chandana Sinha
Chandana Sinha focused on early detection mechanisms, especially identifying minors travelling alone or under suspicious supervision.
She introduced training modules for RPF personnel to recognise behavioural and documentation red flags.
Her initiatives strengthened coordination with NGOs, Child Welfare Committees, and state authorities, ensuring swift handover and rehabilitation.
These measures led to a notable decline in trafficking cases on high-risk railway routes.
Significance of the Highest Railway Honour
The award given to Chandana Sinha represents Indian Railways’ highest recognition for exceptional service.
It honours not just operational excellence but also humanitarian contribution and social impact.
By awarding an RPF officer for child protection work, Indian Railways has reinforced that passenger safety includes social safety, especially for children in transit.
Broader Impact on Child Protection
Chandana Sinha’s work has positioned Indian Railways as a key stakeholder in national child protection efforts.
Her model demonstrates how transport infrastructure can actively disrupt organised crimes like trafficking.
Static GK Tip: India’s child protection framework is guided by laws such as the Juvenile Justice Act and anti-trafficking provisions under the IPC.
The recognition is expected to motivate railway personnel nationwide to adopt proactive child protection practices.
About the Railway Protection Force
The RPF functions under the Ministry of Railways and is tasked with protecting railway property and passengers.
It plays a crucial role in rescuing runaway and trafficked children in coordination with welfare agencies.
Such efforts align with India’s international commitments against human trafficking and child exploitation.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
Indian Railways Highest Honour for Chandana Sinha:
| Topic | Detail |
| Why in News | Chandana Sinha received Indian Railways highest award |
| Awarding Authority | Indian Railways |
| Officer | Chandana Sinha |
| Organisation | Railway Protection Force |
| Core Contribution | Prevention of child trafficking |
| Operational Area | Railway stations and trains |
| Institutional Impact | Strengthening child protection role of railways |
| Broader Significance | Humanitarian policing and social responsibility |
