First lady of Western Railway on a goodwill hunt

“This is the result of team work. All members of the committee are very hardworking. We work together. With me,there are office bearers like Pramjit Chug( vice president),Shikha Goyal (Secreatary ) Niharika Agarwal (Treasurer) and Radha Gupta( Joint secretary),” said Verma.

What draws these homemakers to work for society?

“The desire was always there. I used to teach housemaids and also inspired them for family planning,’’ said Verma.

Her husband runs a reputation of being a workaholic and tough bureaucrat in his capacity as the head of the WR,but it’s she who runs the household train.

“I know my family’s responsibility. When the children were younger,I was busy with their upbringing. I am fond of cooking. So,I never wished to take up a corporate job,I always had the dram of running a good household. So I am,” she laughs.

With a master’s degree in ancient history from Allahabad university,Verma is a multi-faceted woman. She is extremely fond of music and has completed her Visharad from Bhatkhande,Allahabad . She plays the guitar and is now learning to play the piano and is also fond of gardening and especially bonsai.

During her free time,she indulges in some Tanjore. “Till now I have made 26 paintings of various gods and goddesses.”

The committee has six division offices with its headquarters at Churchgate. It undertakes various activities for Group C & D employees and their dependents,and sometimes for general public in case of untoward incidents.

This year WRWSSC utilized Rs 3 lakh to offer scholarships to 68 children of WR employees. Verma has finetuned the scholarship rules to encourage girl children to pursue higher studies.

“Many times,officials want to do something for staff but they have their limitations being government servants. WRWSSC’s initiatives begin at the point where the domain of the officers ends,” said Verma.