In 1988, Surekha Yadav made history by becoming Asia’s first woman train driver, shattering long-held gender stereotypes in the Indian Railways. Born on September 2, 1965, in Satara, Maharashtra, she was the eldest of five children in a farming family. Her parents, Sonabai and Ramchandra Bhosale, emphasized the importance of education, which laid the foundation for her groundbreaking career.
After completing her schooling at St. Paul Convent High School, Surekha pursued a diploma in electrical engineering from the Government Polytechnic in Karad. In 1986, she joined the Indian Railways as a trainee assistant driver at the Kalyan Training School. By 1989, she became a regular assistant driver, piloting her first local goods train, L-50, between Wadi Bunder and Kalyan.
Over the years, Surekha’s expertise grew as she operated various trains, including suburban locals, goods trains, and premium services like the Rajdhani and Vande Bharat Express. Her exceptional skills were particularly evident when she became the first woman to pilot the Deccan Queen, a prestigious train route through the Western Ghats, in 2011. She repeated this achievement in 2021, driving an all-women crew from Mumbai to Lucknow.
In March 2023, Surekha further cemented her legacy by becoming the first woman to operate the semi-high-speed Vande Bharat Express between Solapur and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus in Mumbai. This milestone was celebrated nationally, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi acknowledging her feat in his 99th episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’.
Throughout her illustrious 36-year career, Surekha faced and overcame numerous challenges, proving that determination and skill know no gender. Her journey continues to inspire countless women to pursue careers in fields traditionally dominated by men, especially in engineering and transportation.
As she prepares to retire on September 30, 2025, Surekha Yadav leaves behind a legacy of resilience, breaking barriers, and paving the way for future generations of women in the workforce
