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"Technology ignores gender; they respond to your capability," remarks Surekha Yadav, who has been driving India's trains for over three decades.

In the past few days, Ms Yadav concluded her career after thirty-six years in the field, concluding her tenure as India's first female train driver.

Breaking Barriers

Presently, there are over two thousand lady rail drivers in the Indian Railways, but Ms Yadav embarked on the job at a time when it was rare for women to pursue this occupation.

Coming into the world in 1965 in a modest settlement in India's western Maharashtra state, Ms Yadav originates from a rural household and is the eldest of five siblings.

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

"Though my parents came from a simple upbringing, they were open-minded. They provided me education and that allowed me to work."

Employment Commencement

After completing her studies as an electrical engineer, Ms Yadav quickly commenced seeking a job. She casually saw a newspaper advertisement by the Indian railways, looking for locomotive assistants, and grabbed the opportunity.

At the time, she had no idea that there were no female train operators in the country. She simply saw the job as a way to make a living.

Government jobs are much sought-after in India because of the stability and benefits they offer. But securing a position for one is tough, as countless aspirants from all over the country compete for a solitary opening.

Facing Difficulties

Ms Yadav passed the recruitment procedure with outstanding performance, and got her initial position on a freight transport in 1989.

It was only when she commenced her preparation that she discovered the profession was overwhelmingly male-oriented.

She remembers the opening day she went in for training. While she didn't expect many female students, she was astonished when she saw there existed zero women in her class.

"I wondered what to do. But I considered, if I don't undertake the job, somebody else might. Since I've been picked, I'll perform it," she says.

Professional Growth

Rail drivers use diverse tracking equipment to supervise different components of the travel, including paths and velocity. They have to be watchful continuously and make prompt judgments to prevent accidents and guarantee traveler security.

Numerous locomotives traverse India's vast train infrastructure each day, transporting millions of passengers to their locations. India's trains are often described as the lifeline of the country because of the breadth of their coverage and how affordable they are.

Ms Yadav says she learnt the ability to understand indications, predicting challenges and acting promptly to prevent emergencies.

Professional Achievements

In 1996, she was advanced to the role of rail driver - the primary controller of the train's command center, or the "core unit" of the train.

The variable timings, due to unexpected holdups and incidents, was one of the toughest challenges of the job.

Come rain or shine, she had to report for work. Irregular eating schedules and lack of washroom facilities or changing rooms for women on some trains added to the challenges.

Personal Sacrifices

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

She continued working during two pregnancy periods and raised her children while continuing to work.

The type of her profession, she says, didn't allow her to miss her children when she had to be separated from them.

"You have to watch the indicator, the rail, the overhead equipment, pay attention to your co-worker, and watch carefully the pace - all at the same time. How could I think of my children?" Ms Yadav says. "When your focus shifts for even 30 seconds, even a instant, it can be hazardous for every traveler."

Encouragement Network

She recollects being absent from several family celebrations and outings because of her job. But support from family and male colleagues assisted her adaptation.

"My colleagues were excellent. They avoided making me experience like I was different because I was a lady. Others might have thought that, but not my partners," she says.

In her lengthy employment, Ms Yadav also got the opportunity to mentor aspiring train operators, many of them women.

Her hope is that her employment history will serve as an inspiration to others.

Final Journey

On her last day, Ms Yadav drove the Rajdhani Express - one of India's top-tier locomotives. At the end point in India's financial capital Mumbai she was given a grand farewell by her workmates, complete with beating drums and cultural dances.

"I couldn't predict I'd pilot rail vehicles till I attained sixty years," Ms Yadav says.

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

Those miniature navigation signals always assisted her in locating the way.