Railway Inspector cum painter finds mention in 'Mann Ki Baat'

A Chief Ticket Inspector with the Central Railway, who has won accolades for his painting skills abroad is delighted to have got mention in Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'Mann Ki Baat' programme recently.
Bijaynanda Biswal, who is employed with the Nagpur division of South East Central Railway has no formal education in painting but nurtured his passion for colours right from his childhood and made his way into the PM's pep talk two days ago.
"I feel honoured as it has been a long journey for him from a small Odisha village to the national audience," he said.
Despite his busy schedule, Biswal when finished with his job, takes to drawing sketches and caricatures when other passengers go to sleep.

Even on reaching his destination, he spends most of his free time to continue with his painting on railway platform.
"The Railways provide all sorts of facilities like special leave for sports persons, cultural artists, poets and others but have never thought of painters or graphic artists," he lamented.

But I have no regrets and will continue with participating in national and international shows and competitions, the 50-year-old said adding "some of our officers understand my difficulty and co-operate me."
Biswal has participated in a number of shows and competitions and demonstrated before several Fine Arts students across the country.

His paintings have been exhibited in Mumbai, Chicago, Bhubneshwar, Ahmedabad and other places.
He has also been invited for showcasing his talent abroad on various occasions and has won accolades in Washington DC, Penza (Russia), Jakarta (Indonesia) and Kuwait.
"I wanted to show my paintings at Jehangir Arts Gallery in Mumbai but have been denied permission four times in the past for no reason but I have not given up," he said.
His wife Praniti, a former lecturer looks after the commercial aspects of the painting.
"The satisfaction (journey) is complete only when a piece hanging on the wall goes out to adorn someone's house," felt Biswal.