Mithila artists wield brush to transform Madhubani rly station

Over 200 artists in this district bordering Nepal, worked relentlessly for two months without claiming wages to paint a wall of over 14,000 square feet in traditional Mitihila style, transforming a squalid railway station into a sight to behold.

At a function held at the Madhubani Junction today, Sulabh International founder Bindeshwar Pathak, who has been designated the brand ambassador of Swachh Rail Mission, felicitated all the artists, most of whom were women.

"Madhubani Junction can now be described as one of the cleanest railway stations in the country. Its uniqueness strikes one in almost each and every corner adorned with elegant paintings in the world famous Mithila style," Pathak said while announcing a cash reward of Rs 2,000 to each of the artists.

"We are proud of the initiative wherein about 225 artists, 80 per cent of them women, tirelessly wielded their brush for two months without claiming any remuneration to transform this remote railway station into a beautiful place," Divisional Railway Manager of Samastipur, R K Jain, said.

"These volunteers remained engrossed in their work and accepted whatever little we could offer them by way of incentives. Their dedication was amazing," he added.

Addressing the function, Indian Railway Service officer Gananath Jha, who was instrumental in conceptualizing the project during his tenure in Bihar a few months ago, said "as a resident of Madhubani, I feel proud to see the transformation of this station, which was one of the dirtiest in the country. A wall area of about 14,000 square feet has been covered, making the endeavour a record of sorts".