The National Bal Bhavan on Friday has restarted the chuk-chuk steam engine run train for children. The steam engine powered train was flagged off by Bal Bhavan chairperson Shallu Jindal and Ashwani Lohani, Chairman of the Indian Railway Board. Enthused group of children presented cultural performances for the audience gathered to mark this occasion. Children will now be able to enjoy this train service at the National Bal Bhavan thanks to the initiative taken by its Chairperson Shallu Jindal.

The Inauguration of the Steam Engine was celebrated with great fanfare at the National Bal Bhavan this morning with a welcome ceremony and is customary at NBB, a gala of song and dance. pic.twitter.com/FanWWU8u8T

— National Bal Bhavan (@nbbdelhi) June 15, 2018

This steam engine train has its connection with India’s first Prime Minister Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru who was fond of kids. He had gifted this train to Bal Bhavan in 1958. The train had been a center of attraction for children since then. The services however ceased since 2007 and have been restarted after a gap of 11 years following efforts from Bal Bhawan.

Bal Bhavan Chairperson Shallu Jindal said, “We are very happy that the Chairman of railway board came and inaugurated the steam engine train. This steam engine is historic as it was gifted by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.”

Thanking Indian railways she said, “We are very grateful to Indian railways. This is one of the most ancient steam engine. We got calls from many countries and museums who expressed interest in taking this steam engine. We are very proud to say that we did not give this engine.”

Eminent personalities like Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Lal Bahadur Shastri, R Venkatraman and Dr. S. Radhakrishnan have taken a ride on this steam engine.