PRESS RELEASE - FLAGGING OF SAMANTA EXPRESS TRAIN ON 14.2.2019 Hon’ble Minister of Social Justice & Empowerment, Government of India, Shri. Ramdas Athwale has flagged off the “Samanata Express” Bharat Darshan Tourist Train at Nagpur today in the August presence of Dr. Milind Mane, MLA of East Nagpur & Hon’ble MLC Shri. Girish Vyas, and other dignitaries. Shri Somesh Kumar Divisional Railway Manager, Nagpur & Shri. Arvind Malkhede GGM/WZ/IRCTC attended the function which was held at Nagpur Railway station today morning. Indian Railways and IRCTC is jointly running the Samanata Express in memory of the Architect of our constitution and revered political leader Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The train left Nagpur station at 11.40 hrs and will stop at Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Chalisgaon, Manmad, Nasik, CSMT- Mumbai for boarding of passengers. Samanata Express passengers are being taken to important places associated with Babasaheb and Gautam Buddha including Lumbini in Nepal. The train will go to Mumbai, Mhow, Gaya, Varanasi Nautanawa, Gorakhpur, and return to Nagpur. According to the programme tourists will first visit Chaityabhoomi in Mumbai following which the train will proceed to Indore and tourist will be taken to Mhow the birth place of Babasaheb by road to visit Ambedkar memorial. The train will depart to Gaya and from here proceed to Bodhgaya for overnight stay. Next day tourist will be taken to Mahabodhi temple and other tourist places including Nalanda. The train will further proceed to Varanasi to visit Saranath. On February 20, the train will arrive at Nautanwa station and tourist will be taken to Lumbini in Nepal to visit the birth place of Gautam Buddha and other Buddhist temples. The tourist will stay overnight at Lumbini. From here the tourist will be taken to Kushinagar to visit the place where Lord Buddha attained Mahaparinirvan. Finally, on 23rd the train will reach back Nagpur and all the tourist will be taken Deekshabhoomi. The train will depart from Nagpur to Mumbai with stops at Wardha, Badnera, Akola, Bhusaval, Jalgaon, Chalisgaon, Manmad and Nashik to facilitate the tourist to de-board the train. There will be an attendant and unarmed guard in each coach to ensure safety of the commuters and their belongings. One tour manager will also travel for overall coordination. One Doctor will also be on Board. It is for the first time that such a tour is being organised from Nagpur. The duration of this tour is 10 Nights/11 Days. .