Surekha Yadav has retired after a 36-year career as India’s first female train driver. She began her journey in 1989 as an assistant train driver with the Indian Railways. During her career, she operated various trains across diverse terrains and weather conditions, contributing to a larger workforce that now includes over 2,000 female train operators.
Born in 1965 in Maharashtra’s farming community, Yadav was encouraged by her progressive parents to pursue education. After completing her studies in electrical engineering, she applied for a job with Indian Railways, unaware of the gender dynamics in the sector at that time. Upon starting her training, she was surprised to find she was the only woman in her class, which led her to reflect on her decision but ultimately choose to proceed.
Her initial experiences were challenging, as she faced a male-dominated environment and the demands of the job, which include monitoring various aspects of train operation and ensuring passenger safety. Yadav described her role as requiring constant alertness and quick decision-making to avert accidents.
Throughout her career, Yadav navigated not just her professional obligations but also family responsibilities, working through two pregnancies while raising her children. She mentioned the difficulties of balancing work with family commitments, noting the unpredictable nature of her work hours as a significant challenge.
On her last day, she operated the Rajdhani Express, a premium long-distance train, and was celebrated by colleagues at Mumbai’s terminal. Yadav hopes her career will inspire more women to pursue roles in fields where they have been traditionally underrepresented. She expressed a fondness for the signals that guided her throughout her career, indicating the integral role they played in her profession.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2x44g441yo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss