With Modi and Pinarayi on stage, Metro Man draws biggest applause [Video]
- The acknowledgement came while KMRL managing director Elias George was delivering the welcome address
- George thanked E Sreedharan, to stir a thundering applause from the audience, so much so that he had to pause his speech briefly
- Sreedharan was initially excluded from the list of dignitaries on the dais by the PM's Office
FollowOn the day Kochi Metro - Kerala's dream project - finally took flight, the people of the city did not forget to acknowledge the man who gave wings to it.
On a stage filled with national-level dignitaries including the country's Prime Minister, it was DMRC principal advisor E Sreedharan, aka the Metro Man, who received the loudest applause from the crowd who gathered at the Kaloor stadium on Saturday, to attend Kochi Metro's the inaugural ceremony.
The recognition came while KMRL managing director Elias George was delivering the welcome address. After welcoming all the government bigwigs on stage, George moved on to Sreedharan, to stir a thundering applause from the audience, so much so that he had to pause his speech briefly.
Also read:Â PM Modi inaugurates Kochi Metro, takes first ride [Video]
It was not a lone incident either. The crowd repeated the cheering every time Sridharan's name was mentioned by anyone, including PM Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, during their speech.
Speaking to reporters after the event, Sreedharan was modest as always and played down the incident, saying the crowd cheered for him more only because he is a localite.
Kerala loves the Metro Man, no two ways about it. Despite his humble nature and attempts to keep a low profile, Kerala knows how efficient Sreedharan is and the part he played in making the Kochi Metro a reality.
Also read:Â Kerala's dream project takes flight as PM Modi dedicates Kochi Metro to nation [Video]
And hence from the day the first public gathering related to Kochi Metro was held in 2013, to announce the beginning of construction work, Sreedharan's name has received the loudest cheers, irrespective of whoever else was on stage.
It was to be noted that Sreedharan, who helmed several important projects in the country including the Delhi Metro, was initially excluded from the list of dignitaries on the dais by the PM's Office. He was included only after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote again to the PM, requesting the Metro Man's inclusion.
