All-women crew ‘pilot’ three trains of equality

Varanasi: As Manduadih-Prayagraj Rambagh passenger train chugged out of Manduadih railway station at 6am on Sunday, it was a show of women power with senior assistant loco pilot Sunita Kumari leading from the front in a position traditionally held by men.

As part of Indian Railways campaign to promote gender equality and underscore the importance of women empowerment, an exclusive women crew operated three passenger trains on separate routes under Varanasi division of North Eastern Railway to commemorate International Women’s Day.

Similarly, Manduadih-Bhatni passenger train was led by senior assistant loco pilot Priyanka Rai and was flagged off from Manduadih railway station at 7.05am, followed by Chhapra-Bhatni passenger train, which was operated by senior assistant loco pilot Shweta Yadav. The all-women trains were flagged-off by divisional railway manager (NER Varanasi) Vijay Kumar Panjiar. From loco pilot and security guard to ticket examiners, these trailblazers were the show-stoppers, with the crew receiving an overwhelming response from passengers and railway officials.

As Chhapra-Bhatni train reached Manduadih, the staff including loco pilot Shweta, guard Sonali Kumari, ticket checking staff Mamta Kumari, Pratima Kumari, Nisha Kumari, RPF assistant sub-inspector Archana Upadhyaya, head constable Bindu, constable Binnu, Sugam and Garima were accorded a warm welcome.

An excited crowd waited for Manduadih-Bhatni passenger train at Mau railway station even as it arrived an hour late. As soon as the train reached the platform, loco pilot Priyanka Rai and women staff were greeted with powerful slogans like ‘Dhool hai chingari hai, yeh Bharat ki nari hai’ (Indian

woman

is a spark, not a sand grain). Priya was honoured with a bouquet and the entire crew was welcomed with sweets.

On the occasion, railway regional advisory committee member Sriram Jaiswal said that everyone felt honoured to see how women are now ready to accept all challenges and are handling all kind of responsibilities.

To mark the occasion, NDRF also organised a special health camp for women on its campus in Chowkaghat area. Apart from health check-up of over 120 women, they were also made aware about breast and cervical cancer. Senior consultants also shared a diet plan with participants. Women were also made aware about the necessary precautions to be taken against coronavirus.