Rail Budget Speech: Railways minister Pawan Kumar Bansal's speech

introducing the Railway Budget, 2013-14

26th February 2013

1. Madam Speaker, I rise to present before this august House the Revised Estimates for 2012-13 and a statement of estimated receipts and expenditure for 2013-14. I do so with mixed feelings crossing my mind.

While I have a feeling of a colossus today, it is only ephemeral and is instantaneously overtaken by a sense of humility. Democracy gives wings to the wingless, cautioning us all the while, that howsoever high

or wide our flight may be, we must remain connected to the ground.

For giving me this opportunity, I am grateful to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and the UPA Chairperson, Smt. Sonia Gandhi and pay my homage to the sacred memory of Sh. Rajiv Gandhi

who introduced me to the portals of this highest Temple of Indian democracy.

2. Madam Speaker, as I proceed, my thought goes to a particularly severe cold spell during the recent winter, when it was snowing heavily in Kashmir valley, and suspension of road and air services had brought life to a grinding halt. Photographs in Newspapers showing a train

covered with snow emerging from a similar white background, carrying passengers travelling over the recently commissioned Qazigund - Baramulla section instilled in me a sense of immense pride.

I recall here the inspirational words of Christine Weatherly:

When you travel on the railway,

And the line goes up a hill,

Just listen to the engine

As it pulls you with a will.

Though it goes very slowly

It sings this little

... contd.