IDSM-2026 gets under way in Waltair Division
The month-long Inter-Departmental Sports Mela (IDSM-2026) of Waltair Division began at the Waltair Railway Cricket Stadium here on Saturday, with enthusiastic participation from employees representing 14 departments.
Divisional Railway Manager Lalit Bohra and ECoRWWO president Jyotsna Bohra inaugurated the event, organised by the East Coast Railway Sports Association, in the presence of senior officials, staff members, and sports enthusiasts.
The inaugural ceremony began on a spirited note with the lighting of the Olympic torch by Mr. Bohra, symbolising the formal commencement of the sports meet. A group of international sportspersons carried the torch around the stadium in a ceremonial run before handing it over to the DRM, who lit the main flame amid applause.
Among those present were ADRM (Infrastructure) E. Santharam, Sports Officer Haranath Mopuri, Assistant Sports Officer Ketan Patil, branch officers, executive members of ECoRWWO and ECoRSA, and a large number of railway employees.
Addressing the gathering, Mr. Bohra lauded the division’s consistent performance in loading and revenue generation, and said Waltair had also built a strong reputation in sports. He observed that the Inter-Departmental Sports Mela provides a valuable platform for employees to showcase their talent beyond routine duties and helps strengthen team spirit and camaraderie across departments.
He also appreciated the active and growing participation of women employees, describing it as a positive sign of inclusivity and energy within the division. Noting that such large-scale sports events are not commonly organised across Indian Railways divisions, he said the initiative reflects Waltair’s commitment to both professional excellence and employee well-being.
Mr. Bohra extended his best wishes to all participants for a successful and injury-free tournament and thanked the media for its continued support in highlighting the division’s activities.
Later, the DRM officiated the toss for the inaugural football match, marking the beginning of competitions that will be held over the coming weeks as part of IDSM-2026.