The Azaadi Express (a mobile exhibition covering India’s history from 1857 to present day) is here. Today, the central station was crowded with a different kind of population. A whole lot of people without baggage, one their way from office, long queues of school children. The Azaadi Express exhibition seems to be drawing crowds. The exhibition includes original vintage photographs, pictures, exhibits etc from India’s history. The idea has been conceived by the Directorate of Advertising and Visual Publicity, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to mark the 150th anniversary of the ‘First War of Independence’.

Snaps from the Agra Cant. stop of the Azaadi Express.

The eleven coach exhibition depicts the 150 years of Indian history by way of photographs, diaroma, cutouts, scrollers and videos.

Each of the first eight coaches carries a specific epoch in the freedom movement and is titled as such. They carry exhibits under various themes; Kompany Raj; The Lightening – incidents and events related to Barrackpore and Meerut when Indian soldiers revolted against the British; Fire spreads – reflecting the spread of revolt across northern and eastern India; British takeover – showing the defeat of the revolutionary forces, revengeful British campaign against the leaders and masses who took part in the uprising; National Awakening section depicts the formation of Indian National Congress, Partition of Bengal and opposition thereto, Gandhiji’s emergence on the scene, the draconian Rowlatt Act and Jallianwala Bagh incident; Gandhiji leads – depicts the launch of Non-Cooperation Movement and Britishers ruthless repression, Civil Disobedience Movement, Dandi March; Quit India and Azadi sections show the climax of India’s freedom struggle and its culmination into Free India. Last three coaches focus on the new dawn in our national history and march forward to prosperity and the strengthening of a vibrant democracy.

It also includes various social movements like the Indigo Farmers issue, Champaran incidents, the rise of the nationalist press, patriotic literature, Bhoodan Movement of Acharya Vinoba Bhave and participation of the women in the freedom struggle.

Books, cards and mementos on 1857 and freedom struggle themes will be available at special sale counters in Mobile Train Exhibition.

The themes covered are: the freedom struggle from 1857 to 1947 and the socio-economic development during 1947-2007. The concept seems novel and interesting. This train which was flagged off from Delhi on 28th September 2007.

This exhibition rake is stationed at the Platform No11 of Chennai Central Railway station. The entry is free and no platform tickets are required for this exhibition. Exhibition is on daily till Jan. 20 from 10.00 am to 6.00 pm. Try to catch it.