Read about All Aboard: The Story of Surekha Yadav as India’s First Woman Train Driver
A woman among men in a career that has stretched across decades, Surekha Ramchandra Yadav is a first: Asia’s—and India’s—first female train driver. Her is a tale of grit, courage, and bucking the trend with an unprecedented 36-year-long service.
Early Life and Early Career
Surekha Yadav was born in Satara district, Maharashtra. She grew up under agrarian parents and developed an inclination toward movement and machinery since childhood. She was a student of electrical engineering and had joined a recruitment rally in 1986. She was selected after passing through rigorous tests and interviews and was trained for six months in the Kalyan Training School. She was commissioned to Indian Railways services as assistant loco pilot in 1989 and began her historic journey.
Climbing the Tracks
She started by driving goods trains—fatally demanding work that required concentration, technical ability, and stamina. In 1996, she was given the responsibility of driving passenger trains. She was responsible for driving tough Western Ghats routes, where there was steep gradient and poor track even seasoned drivers found challenging.
Landmark Moments & Firsts
1988: Became India’s first lady train driver.
2011: Drove luxury Deccan Queen Express on International Women’s Day as the first woman in history to drive one of India’s oldest trains.
2023: Broke another record by driving semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express from Solapur to Mumbai as the first lady driver.
Challenges & Support
Her professional life also wasn’t free of pests. Unpredictable working hours, working in the trains, and social pressures rendered the business insecure. Still, she went through all the painful experiences with keen will power. Helping others from home and from friends made it simple for her to endure the tough life and working life.
Legacy & Retirement
Surekha Yadav retires in 2025 after working for 36 years. Along with all the awards and records, she also drew a picture of courage and inspiration. Not only did she instruct hundreds of young drivers how to complete the job, but she also made sure that the doors she busted are now open for women railway workers.
Lessons from Her Life
Representation matters: One woman’s success inspires thousands.
Guts, not comfort: Change is embracing tough tasks.
Support structures do matter: Motivation from the working environment and family are the tools in overcoming the obstacles.
Trailblazer record: She set records by opening the doors for other women to join Indian Railways.
Conclusion: Surekha Yadav’s is not a story of a woman behind the wheel. It is a story of change, resolve, and resolve. Once she hands over the wheel, her legacy disappears—the world denying to itself inspirational women whom they can drive new directions in every profession by being fearless and inspirational.
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