Equipment Doesn't Recognize Gender: India's First Female Train Driver on Creating History

"Technology ignores gender; they acknowledge your competence," remarks Surekha Yadav, who has been piloting India's trains for over three decades.

Earlier this week, Ms Yadav concluded her career after 36 years of service, concluding her tenure as India's first female train driver.

Shattering Glass Ceilings

Currently, there are more than 2,000 lady rail drivers in the Indian Railways, but Ms Yadav embarked on the role at a time when it was unusual for women to pursue this field.

Coming into the world in 1965 in a rural community in India's western Maharashtra state, Ms Yadav hails from a rural household and is the first-born of five siblings.

Early in life, she was accustomed to physical labor, supporting her family on the farm while also studying.

"Even though my parents had a humble origin, they were progressive in their thinking. They ensured my schooling and that allowed me to work."

Employment Commencement

After finishing her education as an technical professional, Ms Yadav immediately began looking for a job. She accidentally noticed a classified ad by the Indian railways, seeking assistant train drivers, and took the opening.

At the time, she had no idea that there were zero women locomotive pilots in the country. She only considered the job as a method to support herself.

Public sector positions are highly coveted in India because of the stability and benefits they offer. But being chosen for one is challenging, as numerous candidates from all over the country contest for a individual position.

Overcoming Challenges

Ms Yadav successfully completed the hiring process with flying colours, and got her opening assignment on a goods train in 1989.

It was only when she began training that she discovered the profession was overwhelmingly male-oriented.

She remembers the initial day she went in for training. While she didn't anticipate many female students, she was taken aback when she saw there were no female students in her class.

"I wondered what to do. But I thought, if I don't take up the job, somebody else might. Since I've been selected, I'll do it," she says.

Skill Enhancement

Locomotive pilots use multiple monitoring systems to oversee different aspects of the journey, including paths and velocity. They have to be alert at all times and make quick decisions to prevent accidents and guarantee traveler security.

Countless rail vehicles travel across India's vast train infrastructure each day, carrying countless travelers to their locations. India's trains are often called the nation's vital artery because of the expanse of their network and how cost-effective they are.

Ms Yadav says she acquired the ability to understand indications, anticipating problems and reacting in real time to avert crises.

Employment Highlights

In 1996, she was elevated to the position of train operator - the main operator of the train's command center, or the "central hub" of the train.

The unpredictable work hours, due to unanticipated interruptions and incidents, was one of the most difficult aspects of the job.

In all conditions, she had to report for work. Variable food breaks and lack of washroom facilities or lady preparation spaces on some trains added to the challenges.

Individual Compromises

Ms Yadav says she has piloted rail vehicles on submerged railways, across elevated pathways and on multiple-day journeys.

She maintained employment throughout two childbearing phases and brought up her kids while continuing to work.

The character of her work, she says, didn't enable her to yearn for her children when she had to be apart from them.

"You must observe the signal, the rail, the above-ground systems, pay attention to your co-worker, and watch carefully the pace - simultaneously. How would I consider my children?" Ms Yadav says. "If your mind drifts for even thirty moments, even a microsecond, it can be hazardous for all passengers."

Assistance Framework

She recalls having to miss several relative gatherings and outings because of her job. But encouragement from household and fellow male workers assisted her adaptation.

"My co-workers were great. They didn't cause me to feel like I was distinct because I was a lady. External individuals could have considered that, but not my partners," she says.

In her extended profession, Ms Yadav also got the opportunity to mentor prospective locomotive pilots, many of them women.

Her desire is that her employment history will function as encouragement to others.

Concluding Mission

On her final day, Ms Yadav drove the Rajdhani Express - one of India's elite rail services. At the final stop in India's financial capital Mumbai she was given a grand farewell by her co-workers, including beating drums and artistic movements.

"I never imagined I'd drive trains till I became 60," Ms Yadav says.

When questioned what she'll feel the absence of most about her job, she said it's the flashing signals.

Those small directional indicators always helped her find the way.