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Surekha Yadav: Asia's First Female Loco Pilot

Surekha Yadav: Asia's First Female Loco Pilot

Neelesh Singh November 8, 2024 5

Surekha Yadav: Asia's First Female Loco Pilot

Surekha Yadav is known as Asia's first female loco pilot, a job that has long been dominated by men. Yadav made history when she became the first woman in Asia to drive a suburban train in 1988. Her achievement broke gender barriers and paved the way for other women to follow in her footsteps.

Born in 1965 in Satara, Maharashtra, India, Yadav was fascinated by the railway since childhood. Her father, a railway employee, was a great influence on her and instilled in her a love for the railways. Yadav's father encouraged her to pursue her dream of becoming a loco pilot, despite the fact that it was a male-dominated field.

In 1988, Yadav joined the Indian Railways and started her training as a loco pilot. She faced numerous challenges and obstacles during her training, including ridicule and discrimination from male colleagues who believed that women did not belong in the railway industry. However, she persevered and successfully completed her training.

In 1989, Yadav made history when she became the first woman in Asia to drive a suburban train. She was initially assigned to drive goods trains, but her determination and hard work impressed her superiors, who promoted her to suburban trains.

Yadav's achievement received widespread media attention and was hailed as a significant milestone for women's empowerment in India. She became a role model for young girls across the country who aspired to break gender barriers and pursue careers in male-dominated fields.

Yadav continued to work as a loco pilot for over 20 years, during which she drove numerous passenger and goods trains across the country. She retired in 2010 but remained an inspiration to many women and a symbol of the changing role of women in Indian society.

Surekha Yadav's legacy is one of courage, determination, and breaking gender barriers. She proved that women are capable of achieving anything they set their minds to, regardless of the challenges and obstacles they may face. Her achievement serves as an inspiration to women across the world who continue to struggle for equality and empowerment.