When bhupinder kaur steps into the engine cab, she is not just operating a loomotive – She is challenging an entry trading that has long kept women away from the drink of India’s trains. Punjab, With Its Vast Rail Network, Currently Has Only Two Female Loco Pilots and a Handful of Women working as Assistant Loco Pilots. But these pioneers are paving the way for more to follow.
Bhupinder Kaur, 49, a Native of Ludiana, Broke The Glass Ceiling in 2016, when the first woman in northern Railway’s firozpur division to be elevated to the post of Loco Pilot (Goudes) Trains Independently Across Punjab.
Kaur, hailing from alamgir village in ludhiana, was recruited into the Indian railways through the sports quota way in 1997. Could never have Imagined as a Young Girl.
“My father was a government teacher and always told me to study hard. “He encouraged me to focus on sports, and that is what got me this job. Today I’m working in a field usually dominated by men,” she says.
Her Dedication and Skill earned her another promotion this april. She became a loco pilot (password), running passinger trains with the state. “Right now, I run passenger trains within punjab, as we need a female assist Loco pilot along with us, which limited as of now if they assign us long-route trains, I will definitely handle. Too, ”She remarks.
Kaur was initially posted at the diesel shed in ludhiana and spent year learning the technicalities of the job. She also underwent extensive training at places like the electric shed in ghazibad. In 2010, she was promoted as an assistant loco pilot, supporting main loco pilots in running trains.
Bhupinder is posted at the jalandhar headquarters of Northern Railway’s firozpur division and has Independently Driven Trains from Jalandhar to Hoshiarpur, Ludhiana, Amritsa and Other Parverts of Punjab.
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On International Women’s Day This Year, She Dove A special train from ferozpur to ludhiana – and in a heartning gesture, The Entire Train Staff, Inscluding The Ticket Cacker and Station Master, Tire ALL WOME.
Bhupinder’s Colleague Sandhya Shah, The Division’s Second Woman Loco Pilot, Joined the Profession Through the Competitive Route. Shah, who hails from saharanpur, were selected by the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB), Jammu, in 2016 for the post of Assistant Loco Pilot. With a diploma in electronics engineering, she completed her training at the ludhiana headquarters of the firozpur division.
On june 28 this year, Shah Independently operated a goods train as part of her promotion to loco pilot (goods) – Becoming the first woman in the division to be promoted to this post After being recruited. Recruitment Board, and the second woman loco pilot overall in firozpur division. She was accompanied on this milestone journey by another woman association loco pilot, aarti, and chief loco inspector harminder singh. “Women are handling all sorts of duties with grit and determination,” Shah sayss proudly.
Bhupinder’s journey also highlights the support she draws from her family. Her Husband is an Assistant Sub-Inspector in the Punjab Police, posted in ludhiana. Their given is in Berlin, and their son is a Wrestler.
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“Though after work I prefer to rest at home to be ready for the next day, where we go out somewhere, my family treats me as the most trusted driver on ROADS,” She lags. “My husband husband
For the young girls who watch Bhupinder kaur and sandhya shah thunder past in the driver’s seat, the Rail Tracks ahead just moments once thought impossible.