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"Equipment doesn't recognize gender; they see your strength," declares Surekha Yadav, who has been operating India's trains for thirty-plus years.

Earlier this week, Ms Yadav completed her employment after 36 years of service, finishing her career as India's initial female rail pilot.

Breaking Barriers

Today, there are over two thousand lady rail drivers in the Indian Railways, but Ms Yadav accepted the position at a time when it was unusual for women to pursue this field.

Her birth year being 1965 in a small town in India's western Maharashtra state, Ms Yadav comes from a farming family and is the oldest of five siblings.

From a young age, she was accustomed to physical labor, supporting her family on the farm while also studying.

"Although my parents were from a humble origin, they were open-minded. They educated me and that enabled me to work."

Professional Start

After graduating as an engineering graduate, Ms Yadav immediately began looking for a job. She accidentally noticed a newspaper advertisement by the Indian railways, looking for locomotive assistants, and took the opening.

At the time, she had no idea that there were zero women locomotive pilots in the country. She simply saw the job as a means to earn an income.

State employment are much sought-after in India because of the job safety and advantages they offer. But being chosen for one is challenging, as numerous candidates from all over the country compete for a solitary opening.

Overcoming Challenges

Ms Yadav successfully completed the hiring process with flying colours, and got her first job on a goods train in 1989.

It was only when she began training that she realised the profession was incredibly male-dominated.

She remembers the first day she went in for training. While she didn't anticipate many lady candidates, she was astonished when she saw there were no female students in her class.

"I questioned what to do. But I reflected, if I don't take up the job, another person would. Since I've been selected, I'll accomplish it," she says.

Skill Enhancement

Train operators use diverse tracking equipment to monitor different elements of the trip, including routes and speed. They have to be vigilant constantly and make rapid choices to prevent accidents and ensure passenger safety.

Numerous locomotives criss-cross India's vast train infrastructure each day, carrying millions of passengers to their end points. India's trains are often referred to as the nation's vital artery because of the breadth of their coverage and how affordable they are.

Ms Yadav says she acquired the art of interpreting cues, predicting challenges and acting promptly to avoid disasters.

Employment Highlights

In 1996, she was elevated to the position of rail driver - the chief conductor of the train's control room, or the "nerve centre" of the train.

The irregular schedules, due to unforeseen delays and mishaps, was one of the toughest challenges of the job.

Regardless of weather, she had to attend her shift. Unpredictable meal times and unavailability of toilets or female dressing areas on some trains contributed to the challenges.

Personal Challenges

Ms Yadav says she has piloted rail vehicles on submerged railways, across hill routes and on prolonged travels.

She continued working during two childbearing phases and nurtured her offspring while persisting in her career.

The nature of her job, she says, didn't permit her to long for her children when she had to be away from them.

"You need to monitor the indicator, the path, the aerial infrastructure, hear your partner, and keep your eyes on the speed - concurrently. How might I ponder my children?" Ms Yadav says. "When your focus shifts for even thirty moments, even a microsecond, it can be hazardous for every traveler."

Support System

She recollects being absent from several relative gatherings and outings because of her job. But encouragement from household and fellow male workers supported her adjustment.

"My co-workers were great. They avoided making me experience like I was unusual because I was a lady. Some people may have believed that, but not my co-workers," she says.

In her long career, Ms Yadav also got the chance to guide budding rail drivers, many of them women.

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

Final Journey

On her concluding day, Ms Yadav piloted the Rajdhani Express - one of India's top-tier locomotives. At the final stop in India's commercial center Mumbai she was honored with celebration by her colleagues, complete with beating drums and cultural dances.

"I never imagined I'd operate locomotives till I attained sixty years," Ms Yadav says.

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

Those tiny guiding lights always helped her find the way.