President Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday urged railway probationers to always remember that through the services they were not merely earning their livelihood but were involved in a meaningful contribution to the nation. He said the railways provided them with a great opportunity to serve the country. Hence, they must always show ingenuity, innovation and initiative while discharging their duties. The President's exhortations came when a group of probationers of Indian Railway Service of Engineers, Indian Railway Service of Mechanical Engineers, and Railway Protection Force called on the President at Rashtrapati Bhavan. He told them that like the Indian Post Office, the railways is one of the few organizations in the country which have a truly national character having influence over the whole country. In undertaking journeys, the individual identities of the people who are travelling are replaced by the fact that they all are passengers. Mukherjee said the Railways is not just a commercial organization. It has also extended help and support to the needy when required. It has carried on the tremendous responsibility of economic development of the country. However, Indian Railways is also faced with manifold challenges which include ensuring safety, security and the punctual running of trains.