The new IRAS Logo assimilates the past, present and future to demonstrate the future ready IRAS which upholds the principles of “Propriety, Proficiency and Productivity”.
The logo has been carefully designed to demonstrate the nature of the service and contemporary times.
Adorned with the National Emblem, the logo symbolizes service to the Government of India. The Railway bogie resting on the track symbolizes that IRAS is dedicated to serving the Indian Railways, the three wheels represents evolution and motion, and upholding the motto of “Propriety, Proficiency and Productivity”. The book and the computer monitor symbolizes that IRAS is the fusion of both old and new methods of analysis, its ability to continuously evolve and embrace innovations, bridging the traditional methods of accounting and book-keeping with latest technology such as data analysis, AI etc. to propel IR to an upward growth trajectory.
Finally the 25 pairs of leaves on the logo represents the 17 Zonal Railways and 8 Production units which comprise India Railways. They also symbolizes wisdom, prosperity, motion and continuity.
The logo is a demonstration of the “FUTURE READY IRAS”.
Conceptualised and designed by Shri. Puneet Meena, Shri. Ajay Bartwal and Shri. Rajat Agarwal
Saturday, April 26, 2025
Farewell Address to PFAs by Ms. Roopa Srinivasan, Member(finance)
Good afternoon, dear Colleagues- and friends through the years.
As I stand before you on this significant day — my last as the Member Finance and Head of the Finance and Accounts Department — my heart is filled with gratitude, pride, and a touch of melancholy. It’s hard to believe that this 36 year long chapter is drawing to a close. Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. As I prepare to bid farewell to this extraordinary institution after years of dedicated service, I find myself overwhelmed — not just with memories, but with immense gratitude and pride. Indian Railways has been more than just my employer — it has been my teacher, my challenge, and my identity. And while this journey draws to a close today, I look forward to new beginnings and to a new way of life, too.
It seems like yesterday that I reported at Staff College Vadodara. Young and excited, straight out of college and quite unsure about what lay ahead. In the early days in those long-ago times, much was like an extension of university life with classes and lectures and reviews by a stern Course Director. Interspersed were exposures in offices, in those times housed in archetypal government buildings with cavernous halls and huge tables at which were seated mostly middle-aged men and women who assiduously slogged away at composing long notes supported by tables and calculations, all on double-sided papers, assisted by huge tomes and volumes which were called codes and manuals… it all seemed fearsomely complicated and one wondered if we could master it all. But one did, actually: it seems quite unbelievable that I could be here at the top of the ladder from the callow youngster of 3 and a half decades ago.
Then we were catapulted into working life and in the first posting as JAO Stores, in Baroda House in Delhi under the very friendly guiding eye of Mr Rajiv Dutt Dy Stores and Workshop and Ms Sudha Rajagopalan from IA&AS (Yes, such things, did happen!) I still recall the hundreds of CO7s that one totted up and all the work that went into them.
Working with Indian Railways has been more than just a career — it has been a journey. A journey filled with challenges, achievements, lifelong friendships, and most importantly, an unwavering sense of purpose. From the first day I joined the service, I was aware that this institution was not just about trains, stations, or schedules — it was about people. About connecting the nation, keeping the economy moving, and ensuring that every rupee spent is accounted for with integrity and diligence.
Over the years, Indian Railways’ Finance and Accounts team has played a vital role — not always in the spotlight, but always at the core. Ensuring budgets are optimized, salaries are released on time, accounting for the expenditures and earnings and supporting the completion of projects — we work behind the scenes, but with immense responsibility. I am proud to say that we have almost always upheld the highest standards of transparency, efficiency, and fiscal discipline.
The sheer diversity of experiences that a career in the Railways offers, has meant that I’ve had the privilege of working across zones and divisions, across the country -each with its own character, challenges, and vibrancy. And while every posting was unique, what has remained constant is the sense of purpose, the scale of responsibility, and the realization at all times of the profound impact our work has on millions of lives. At times one felt that we were just a cog in the wheel, but seriously who can miss the bigger picture looking at the trains whizzing past 24x7? In this we also have the opportunity to pursue interests like, I did in heritage, building small railway museums in Bhavnagar and Hubballi in places where one is posted, following literary endeavors, even getting a chance to participate in reviving a huge waterbody like Devaraguidihal on the outskirts of Hubballi. There will be few organisations that will provide such opportunities!
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned through these years is the importance of embracing change. The Accounts Department, was among the earliest in incorporating IT in daily life- the IPAS we have today is a worthy successor to its earlier avatars. Our digitsation journey has been swift keeping pace with policy reforms. There is much we have to be proud of, here.
And talking of embracing change also means that we must be willing to move: transfers are viewed with trepidation but I have found that such moves are truly enriching in the experiences and knowledge that one gains and the relationships that are fostered.
Another essential lesson has been the need to keep upgrading our skills. In a world where technology is transforming financial systems rapidly — from manual ledgers: in Northern Railway where I grew up, non- reconciled PF Ledgers was the stuff of nightmares- to IPAS, e-office, and now AI-driven analytics — all drives home the lesson that we must not remain static. Reskilling is important and it’s never too late to learn something new. The finance and accounts officer of today must be comfortable with spreadsheets and dashboards. Nothing should remain as being cast in stone. But while incorporating change it is essential that the new is also robust and impervious to manipulation by crooks. For that we must be familiar with our own systems and be able to guide, as well.
As our careers evolve, we become strategic leaders: often overseeing budgets of thousands of crores, managing internal controls, and ensuring financial compliance in an environment of increasing scrutiny and evolving policy frameworks. It was during these times that I truly understood the magnitude of trust placed upon us — to be the guardians of public money, and to ensure that every decision aligns with the principles of accountability, transparency, and efficiency. It is therefore with concern that I view recent instances of malfeasance and corruption, in which robust systems have been broken not by any complex hack but merely because rules and procedures have not been followed and we have not been watchful enough to catch these out. This is truly a worrying state to be in. It is our duty as Finance and Accounts officers to be ever vigilant
Clearly technical skills alone are not enough, if we don’t employ them usefully. This brings us to the related issue of integrity. As custodians of public funds, our role demands objectivity, fairness, and an unwavering moral compass. I am proud to say that throughout my journey, I have worked with teams and individuals who placed integrity above all else — even when it meant taking tough decisions or standing firm under pressure. Sterling integrity, is the mark of a good accounts officer and if our department goes the way of certain others we will be swiftly pushed aside.
A key realization is that silos do not work in Railways. This organization is a giant machine, and every cog — whether engineering, operations, personnel, stores, electrical, or accounts — all must move in sync. Our success depends on how well we engage laterally across departments. During my time as Divisional Financial Advisor and later as Principal Financial Advisor, and particularly as DRM, I saw how impactful collaboration could be. When finance works hand-in-hand with engineering, when accounts is involved in planning from day one, when traffic, stores, and finance sit together — that’s when real progress happens. Team spirit is important. No achievement in Railways is ever the result of one person. It’s always a team — a team that often includes people with different expertise, temperaments, and backgrounds. Whether it was closing a financial year, managing a major procurement, or preparing for a statutory audit, it was the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and shared ownership that got us through. we are partners in planning, innovation, and performance. Here our role has been well recognized, some of the best performing DRMs have been those from the Accounts Department.
Throughout this journey, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and being mentored. Do the same with the youngsters around you. It will pay off not just for the two of you but also for the organization.
And now it is time for thanks: to my juniors: I am deeply thankful to every team I’ve been part of — from the junior accounts assistant who kept things moving at the ground level, to the senior officers who guided me with wisdom and support. To my colleagues’ be they seniors, juniors and peers: thank you for your friendship, your teamwork, and your patience — especially during budget crunches, and tender finalizations that stretched late into the night. And to the leadership, thank you for believing in me, guiding me, and giving me the freedom to lead with purpose and conviction.
As I move on to the next chapter of my life- here still connected to the railways in the Railway Claims Tribunal at its Principal Bench in Delhi, I carry with me not just memories, but deep respect and admiration for every person who keeps the Railways running — from the trackman in the field to the clerk in the accounts office. In Railways, we often speak of destinations and schedules, but today, for me, it’s about the journey. And what a journey it has been.
As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I do so with a full heart. I take with me the lessons, the friendships, the challenges, and above all — the satisfaction of having contributed my bit to this great institution.
To my younger colleagues, I leave you with this message:
Be ready for change, invest in your skills, engage across departments, stay humble, work as a team — and never compromise on integrity. These principles will carry you far, not just in the Railways, but in life. Let me conclude with a thought that has always inspired me:
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
I hope I have lived up to that in my own humble way.
Thank you, once again, for your warmth, your support, and for walking with me all these years. Thank you all — for your support, your guidance, your laughter, and your camaraderie. I may be leaving office, but I will always remain a Railway person at heart.
Jai Hind. Jai Bhartiya Rail.
As I stand before you on this significant day — my last as the Member Finance and Head of the Finance and Accounts Department — my heart is filled with gratitude, pride, and a touch of melancholy. It’s hard to believe that this 36 year long chapter is drawing to a close. Today is a day of mixed emotions for me. As I prepare to bid farewell to this extraordinary institution after years of dedicated service, I find myself overwhelmed — not just with memories, but with immense gratitude and pride. Indian Railways has been more than just my employer — it has been my teacher, my challenge, and my identity. And while this journey draws to a close today, I look forward to new beginnings and to a new way of life, too.
It seems like yesterday that I reported at Staff College Vadodara. Young and excited, straight out of college and quite unsure about what lay ahead. In the early days in those long-ago times, much was like an extension of university life with classes and lectures and reviews by a stern Course Director. Interspersed were exposures in offices, in those times housed in archetypal government buildings with cavernous halls and huge tables at which were seated mostly middle-aged men and women who assiduously slogged away at composing long notes supported by tables and calculations, all on double-sided papers, assisted by huge tomes and volumes which were called codes and manuals… it all seemed fearsomely complicated and one wondered if we could master it all. But one did, actually: it seems quite unbelievable that I could be here at the top of the ladder from the callow youngster of 3 and a half decades ago.
Then we were catapulted into working life and in the first posting as JAO Stores, in Baroda House in Delhi under the very friendly guiding eye of Mr Rajiv Dutt Dy Stores and Workshop and Ms Sudha Rajagopalan from IA&AS (Yes, such things, did happen!) I still recall the hundreds of CO7s that one totted up and all the work that went into them.
Working with Indian Railways has been more than just a career — it has been a journey. A journey filled with challenges, achievements, lifelong friendships, and most importantly, an unwavering sense of purpose. From the first day I joined the service, I was aware that this institution was not just about trains, stations, or schedules — it was about people. About connecting the nation, keeping the economy moving, and ensuring that every rupee spent is accounted for with integrity and diligence.
Over the years, Indian Railways’ Finance and Accounts team has played a vital role — not always in the spotlight, but always at the core. Ensuring budgets are optimized, salaries are released on time, accounting for the expenditures and earnings and supporting the completion of projects — we work behind the scenes, but with immense responsibility. I am proud to say that we have almost always upheld the highest standards of transparency, efficiency, and fiscal discipline.
The sheer diversity of experiences that a career in the Railways offers, has meant that I’ve had the privilege of working across zones and divisions, across the country -each with its own character, challenges, and vibrancy. And while every posting was unique, what has remained constant is the sense of purpose, the scale of responsibility, and the realization at all times of the profound impact our work has on millions of lives. At times one felt that we were just a cog in the wheel, but seriously who can miss the bigger picture looking at the trains whizzing past 24x7? In this we also have the opportunity to pursue interests like, I did in heritage, building small railway museums in Bhavnagar and Hubballi in places where one is posted, following literary endeavors, even getting a chance to participate in reviving a huge waterbody like Devaraguidihal on the outskirts of Hubballi. There will be few organisations that will provide such opportunities!
One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned through these years is the importance of embracing change. The Accounts Department, was among the earliest in incorporating IT in daily life- the IPAS we have today is a worthy successor to its earlier avatars. Our digitsation journey has been swift keeping pace with policy reforms. There is much we have to be proud of, here.
And talking of embracing change also means that we must be willing to move: transfers are viewed with trepidation but I have found that such moves are truly enriching in the experiences and knowledge that one gains and the relationships that are fostered.
Another essential lesson has been the need to keep upgrading our skills. In a world where technology is transforming financial systems rapidly — from manual ledgers: in Northern Railway where I grew up, non- reconciled PF Ledgers was the stuff of nightmares- to IPAS, e-office, and now AI-driven analytics — all drives home the lesson that we must not remain static. Reskilling is important and it’s never too late to learn something new. The finance and accounts officer of today must be comfortable with spreadsheets and dashboards. Nothing should remain as being cast in stone. But while incorporating change it is essential that the new is also robust and impervious to manipulation by crooks. For that we must be familiar with our own systems and be able to guide, as well.
As our careers evolve, we become strategic leaders: often overseeing budgets of thousands of crores, managing internal controls, and ensuring financial compliance in an environment of increasing scrutiny and evolving policy frameworks. It was during these times that I truly understood the magnitude of trust placed upon us — to be the guardians of public money, and to ensure that every decision aligns with the principles of accountability, transparency, and efficiency. It is therefore with concern that I view recent instances of malfeasance and corruption, in which robust systems have been broken not by any complex hack but merely because rules and procedures have not been followed and we have not been watchful enough to catch these out. This is truly a worrying state to be in. It is our duty as Finance and Accounts officers to be ever vigilant
Clearly technical skills alone are not enough, if we don’t employ them usefully. This brings us to the related issue of integrity. As custodians of public funds, our role demands objectivity, fairness, and an unwavering moral compass. I am proud to say that throughout my journey, I have worked with teams and individuals who placed integrity above all else — even when it meant taking tough decisions or standing firm under pressure. Sterling integrity, is the mark of a good accounts officer and if our department goes the way of certain others we will be swiftly pushed aside.
A key realization is that silos do not work in Railways. This organization is a giant machine, and every cog — whether engineering, operations, personnel, stores, electrical, or accounts — all must move in sync. Our success depends on how well we engage laterally across departments. During my time as Divisional Financial Advisor and later as Principal Financial Advisor, and particularly as DRM, I saw how impactful collaboration could be. When finance works hand-in-hand with engineering, when accounts is involved in planning from day one, when traffic, stores, and finance sit together — that’s when real progress happens. Team spirit is important. No achievement in Railways is ever the result of one person. It’s always a team — a team that often includes people with different expertise, temperaments, and backgrounds. Whether it was closing a financial year, managing a major procurement, or preparing for a statutory audit, it was the spirit of cooperation, mutual respect, and shared ownership that got us through. we are partners in planning, innovation, and performance. Here our role has been well recognized, some of the best performing DRMs have been those from the Accounts Department.
Throughout this journey, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring and being mentored. Do the same with the youngsters around you. It will pay off not just for the two of you but also for the organization.
And now it is time for thanks: to my juniors: I am deeply thankful to every team I’ve been part of — from the junior accounts assistant who kept things moving at the ground level, to the senior officers who guided me with wisdom and support. To my colleagues’ be they seniors, juniors and peers: thank you for your friendship, your teamwork, and your patience — especially during budget crunches, and tender finalizations that stretched late into the night. And to the leadership, thank you for believing in me, guiding me, and giving me the freedom to lead with purpose and conviction.
As I move on to the next chapter of my life- here still connected to the railways in the Railway Claims Tribunal at its Principal Bench in Delhi, I carry with me not just memories, but deep respect and admiration for every person who keeps the Railways running — from the trackman in the field to the clerk in the accounts office. In Railways, we often speak of destinations and schedules, but today, for me, it’s about the journey. And what a journey it has been.
As I move on to the next chapter of my life, I do so with a full heart. I take with me the lessons, the friendships, the challenges, and above all — the satisfaction of having contributed my bit to this great institution.
To my younger colleagues, I leave you with this message:
Be ready for change, invest in your skills, engage across departments, stay humble, work as a team — and never compromise on integrity. These principles will carry you far, not just in the Railways, but in life. Let me conclude with a thought that has always inspired me:
“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.”
I hope I have lived up to that in my own humble way.
Thank you, once again, for your warmth, your support, and for walking with me all these years. Thank you all — for your support, your guidance, your laughter, and your camaraderie. I may be leaving office, but I will always remain a Railway person at heart.
Jai Hind. Jai Bhartiya Rail.
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