A true trailblazer of Indian Railways, Surekha Yadav, is set to retire after a remarkable 36-year career as Asia’s first woman train driver. Yadav, who will officially hang up her boots on September 30, has been honored with a special farewell ceremony at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT), marking the end of a journey that broke barriers and inspired a generation of women.
Yadav’s career has been a testament to her determination and skill. After joining Central Railway in 1988, she quickly rose through the ranks, piloting everything from suburban local trains to long-distance express services. Her long list of achievements includes being the first woman to drive the prestigious Deccan Queen and, most recently, the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express. Her pioneering spirit earned her a mention from Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ broadcast in March 2023.
In a tearful farewell at CSMT, Yadav was greeted with dhol beats, cheers, and applause as she brought in the Hazrat Nizamuddin-CSMT Rajdhani Express, one of her final assignments. “I still remember when I first got into Indian Railways as an assistant driver on a goods train,” she said. “For someone who never intended to enter this profession, it has turned out to be extremely fulfilling.”
A native of Satara, Maharashtra, with a diploma in electrical engineering, Yadav’s journey was not without its challenges. In a field once considered a male bastion, she persevered, earning the respect of her colleagues and paving the way for over 1,500 women who now drive trains across India.
Railway officials have hailed her as a symbol of women’s empowerment, a living example that no dream is out of reach. While her time on the tracks is coming to an end, her legacy will continue to inspire generations of women to pursue their goals with courage and determination.
