Driving the change

The nine days of Navratri celebrate goddesses who embody strength in different forms; valour, compassion, creativity, austerity, devotion, justice, protection, forgiveness and wisdom. In our annual Navratri series, we celebrate the lives of nine women who strive to build happy and safe spaces for themselves and those around them.

PART - 3

Name: Surekha Yadav | Where: Kolhapur, Maharashtra

The history of Indian Railways spans more than 170 years, but only a few names shine as beacons of courage and transformation. One such name is Surekha Yadav, Asia’s first female loco pilot. When she will retire on September 30 after 36 years of service, she will be remembered not merely for her career highs but as a movement that redefined what women could aspire to achieve.

Born on September 2, 1965, in Satara, Maharashtra, Surekha grew up in a farming household as the eldest of five siblings. Responsibility came early, but so did resilience. From early childhood, Surekha displayed a keen interest in studies, especially in technical subjects—a field rarely pursued by girls at the time. At a time when girls’ education often ended at school, her parents encouraged her to pursue academics and she eventually earned a diploma in Electrical Engineering. This educational foundation, coupled with her family’s progressive outlook, gave her the courage to chase an unconventional dream. Her childhood reflects a blend of discipline, encouragement, and courage, which shaped her outlook and paved the way for her entry into a male-dominated profession.

When she applied to the Railway Recruitment Board in 1987, the very idea of a woman driving a train was unheard of. Yet, after six months of rigorous training at the Kalyan Training School, she began her career in 1989 as an Assistant Driver. That moment marked a milestone in Indian Railways—the entry of its first woman loco pilot.

The initial years of her career were far from easy. Working in a domain overwhelmingly dominated by men, she faced skepticism from colleagues and resistance from social norms. Yet she remained undaunted. Her patience, discipline, and above all, the unwavering support of her family gave her the strength to move ahead. She proved to the doubters that driving a train requires skill, dedication, and perseverance—qualities that are not bound by gender.

Surekha’s career steadily advanced through dedication and hard work. In 1996, she drove a freight train for the first time and four years later, became a motorwoman, later qualifying to drive trains in the challenging ghat (hill) sections of the Western Ghats—an achievement that even seasoned male drivers found demanding.

Her achievements saw her lead momentous train journeys—on the occasion of the International Women’s Day in 2011, she drove the iconic Deccan Queen train, earning recognition for her excellence. Ten years later, Surekha commanded a special train with an all-women crew, symbolizing empowerment across the country.

Surekha was chosen for coveted train rides when on March 13, 2023, she became the first woman to drive the much-awaited Vande Bharat Express from Solapur to Mumbai. The Indian Railways commemorated her pioneering service with a fitting final assignment in September 2025 when she piloted the Rajdhani Express. This event was described by railway officials as a tribute to her extraordinary service.

Surekha Yadav’s career reflects grit, persistence, and the refusal to accept limits imposed by tradition. She not only drove trains but also drove change, proving that competence knows no gender. Her story continues to inspire girls from small towns and villages, proving that determination can bridge the gap between modest beginnings and historic achievements.

Surekha is a reminder that true trailblazers pave the way for others to follow. Her name will remain etched in history as the woman who turned the railway tracks into pathways of possibility for countless others.