New Delhi, June 11: BJP leader and a two-time Rajya Sabha MP from Odisha, Ashwini Vaishnaw assumed charge as Union Minister for Railways, Information and Broadcasting, Electronics & Information Technology at Rail Bhawan here on Tuesday.

Vaishnaw took the social media X, formerly Twitter, and said that he is humbled by the responsibility and determined to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi's expectations for the vision of 'Viksit Bharat'.

Talking to the media after assuming charge this morning, Vaishnaw underlined his unwavering commitment to realise the long-term vision set by Prime Minister Modi.

"Prime Minister Modi has a special emotional connection with Railways, and he has entrusted me the responsibility to further his transformative vision to ensure that Indian Railways remains an affordable and a convenient mode of transport for the general public," he stated.

Vaishnaw, who first became the Railway Minister on July 8, 2021, has started his second term, bringing anticipation and optimism.

During his previous tenure, Vaishnaw initiated and executed numerous transformative projects aligning with the visionary agenda set forth by PM Modi. These initiatives encompassed the modernisation and revitalisation of the railway infrastructure, including station transformations, the introduction of new trains, comprehensive station redevelopment programs, the commissioning of new rail lines, and widespread electrification efforts.

Born in 1970 in Rajasthan, Vaishnaw is a Member of Rajya Sabha from Odisha. He was a former Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and served the people of Sundergarh, Balasore, and Cuttack as District collector. He worked in Odisha till 2003 when he was appointed as deputy secretary in the office of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

After his brief stint in the PMO where he contributed to creating the public-private-partnership framework in infrastructure projects, Vaishnaw was appointed as Vajpayee's private secretary after the BJP-led NDA lost the election in 2004.

Vaishnaw took voluntary retirement from the All India Service in 2010 to join the private sector and open an Industry.

In 2012, Vaishnaw quit the corporate sector and set up Three Tee Auto Logistics Private Limited and Vee Gee Auto Components Private Limited, both automotive components manufacturing units in Gujarat.

In 2019, Vaishnaw was elected unopposed to Rajya Sabha from Odisha as BJP candidate. He was re-elected to the Rajya Sabha from Odisha in February, 2024.

Notably, several Union Ministers of the newly formed Union Council of Ministers in the Narendra Modi government assumed their office today.

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