Introduction to Surekha Yadav, Asia's First Female Train Driver
In our country, women's driving is often considered inferior to men's. Even today, women drivers are frequently ridiculed when seen on the road. However, women are breaking this stereotype every day. Considering the challenges women face even in this socially progressive era, it's hard to imagine what people's opinions might have been 30-40 years ago.
The job of a driver or locomotive pilot in the railway sector has traditionally been dominated by men. However, this male monopoly was broken by Surekha Yadav of Maharashtra. In 1988, she made history by becoming India's first female train driver. Later, in 2021, she further set a record by operating a train from Mumbai to Lucknow, a unique aspect being that the entire train crew was comprised of women.
Early Life and Education
Surekha Yadav was born on September 2, 1965, in Satara, Maharashtra, India. Her father, Ramchandra Bhosle, was a farmer, and her mother, Sonabai, was a homemaker. She was the eldest of five children.
Surekha Yadav's Education
She received her initial education at St. Paul's Convent High School in Satara. After completing her schooling, she pursued vocational training and studied electrical engineering at the Government Polytechnic in Karad, Satara district, Maharashtra. She aspired to continue her studies to obtain a Bachelor of Science degree and later, a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed) to become a teacher, but job opportunities with the Indian Railways halted her further education.
Surekha Yadav's Career
Surekha Yadav was recruited by the Railway Recruitment Board, Mumbai, in 1987. She joined the Kalyan Training School as a trainee assistant driver in 1986. She underwent six months of training there and became a regular assistant driver in 1989. Her first local train was the L-50, running between Wadala and Kalyan. She was responsible for inspecting all parts of the train engine. Later, in 1996, she became a goods train driver. In 1998, she progressed to a full passenger train driver. In 2010, she became a Ghat (mountain region) driver on the Western Ghats railway line, receiving specialized training to operate twin-engine passenger trains in the hilly terrain of Western Maharashtra.
First Female Driver of a Women's Special Train
Former Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee launched the Ladies Special train in April 2000, and Surekha was its first driver. In May 2011, Surekha was promoted to the post of Express Mail driver. Additionally, she commenced training as a senior trainer at the Kalyan Driver Training Centre, where she had received her initial training.
Personal Life
In 1991, Surekha appeared in a television serial titled "Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin." Her unique role as a female train driver earned her appreciation from various organizations. She has been interviewed several times on national and international television channels. She married Shankar Yadav, a police inspector in the Maharashtra government, in 1990. They have two sons, Ajinkya (born 1991) and Ajitesh (born 1994), both engineering students at Mumbai University. Her husband has been very supportive of her career.
Awards and Recognitions
Surekha Yadav has received numerous awards, including the Jijau Award (1998), the Women's Award (2001) (by Sharon), the Sahyadri Hirkani Award (2004), the Inspiration Award (2005), the GM Award (2011), and the Women Achievers Award (2011) by the Central Railway. She was honored with the Western Railway Cultural Society's Best Woman Award for the year 2013. On April 5, 2013, she was awarded the GM Award for being the first female locomotive pilot in the Indian Railways. She was also honored with the GM Award in April 2011 for being the first female locomotive pilot in Indian Railways.
