Surekha Yadav is a trailblazer who etched her name in the history books as she became the first woman loco pilot in Asia. The 57-year-old Mumbai resident has broken the glass ceilings for women in India's railway industry through her many achievements. Most recently, in 2021, she became the first woman to operate the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express train. This milestone achievement was announced by the Central Railways after Yadav successfully piloted the train between Solapur station and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT) in Mumbai.
On June 7, 2024, a Central Railway official reported that ten women who are the backbone of Indian Railways will be attending the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi as prime minister for a third term on June 9. These loco pilots include Aiswarya S Menon of Southern Railways, who operates Vande Bharat and Jan Shatabdi, and Yadav among others.
Who Is Surekha Yadav?
Hailing from Satara in western Maharashtra, Surekha Yadav's illustrious career has been marked by numerous accolades at both state and national levels, recognizing her outstanding achievements. After her historic achievement as Asia's female loco pilot in 1998, she made her mark yet again in 2000, becoming the first female operator of the ‘Ladies Special’ train for Central Railways.
Yadav is also the first woman loco pilot to manoeuvre the Deccan Queen train from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus to Pune through the Western Ghats. In 2021, she added another feather in her cap by spearheading the Mumbai-Lucknow Special train with an all-women crew on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
Yadav operated the Deccan Queen alongside assistant loco pilot Sayali Sawardekar, showcasing her leadership and expertise. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnav extended his congratulations to Yadav for her groundbreaking achievement. He praised her role in powering the Vande Bharat Express, emphasising the importance of "Nari Shakti" (women empowerment) in driving progress and innovation within the railway sector.
Surekha Yadav's remarkable journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring women in the railway industry and beyond. Her dedication, professionalism, and trailblazing spirit exemplify the limitless potential of women in traditionally male-dominated fields. As she continues to break barriers and make history, Yadav's legacy will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on India's railway landscape.
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