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"Equipment doesn't recognize gender; they acknowledge your competence," declares Surekha Yadav, who has been piloting India's trains for over three decades.

Earlier this week, Ms Yadav bade farewell to her employment after more than three decades of work, concluding her tenure as India's first female train driver.

Breaking Barriers

Currently, there are in excess of 2,000 women locomotive pilots in the Indian Railways, but Ms Yadav took up the role at a time when it was uncommon for women to pursue this field.

Her birth year being 1965 in a modest settlement in India's western Maharashtra state, Ms Yadav hails from a farming family and is the eldest of five siblings.

Since childhood, she was exposed to demanding tasks, supporting her family on the farm while also studying.

"Even though my parents had a humble origin, they were forward-thinking. They provided me education and that allowed me to work."

Career Beginnings

After finishing her education as an technical professional, Ms Yadav immediately began searching for a job. She accidentally noticed a newspaper advertisement by the Indian railways, hiring locomotive assistants, and grabbed the opportunity.

At the time, she wasn't aware that there were zero women locomotive pilots in the country. She simply saw the job as a means to earn an income.

Public sector positions are much sought-after in India because of the security and perks they offer. But getting selected for one is difficult, as numerous candidates from all over the country vie for a individual position.

Overcoming Challenges

Ms Yadav passed the recruitment procedure with flying colours, and got her opening assignment on a goods train in 1989.

It was only when she began training that she realised the profession was predominantly men-populated.

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

"I wondered what to do. But I thought, if I don't take up the job, someone else will. Since I've been chosen, I'll do it," she says.

Skill Enhancement

Locomotive pilots use multiple monitoring systems to supervise different components of the travel, including paths and velocity. They have to be vigilant constantly and make quick decisions to prevent accidents and maintain commuter protection.

Countless rail vehicles criss-cross India's vast train infrastructure each day, ferrying numerous commuters 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 cost-effective they are.

Ms Yadav says she mastered the art of interpreting cues, predicting challenges and responding immediately to prevent emergencies.

Career Milestones

In 1996, she was elevated to the role of locomotive pilot - the main operator of the train's control room, or the "core unit" of the train.

The variable timings, due to unexpected holdups and mishaps, was one of the most difficult aspects of the job.

In all conditions, she had to report for work. Irregular eating schedules and absence of restrooms or lady preparation spaces on some trains added to the challenges.

Personal Challenges

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

She worked through two pregnancies and raised her children while maintaining her job.

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

"You must observe the indicator, the path, the aerial infrastructure, hear your partner, and watch carefully the pace - all at the same time. How might I ponder my children?" Ms Yadav says. "If your mind drifts for even half a minute, even a microsecond, it can be hazardous for everyone on the train."

Assistance Framework

She recollects being absent from several kinship events and outings because of her job. But support from family and fellow male workers assisted her adaptation.

"My colleagues were excellent. They never made me feel like I was unusual because I was a female. Some people may have believed that, but not my co-workers," she says.

In her long career, Ms Yadav also got the possibility to coach prospective locomotive pilots, many of them women.

Her aspiration is that her career will act as motivation to others.

Last Assignment

On her final day, Ms Yadav operated the elite intercity service - one of India's top-tier locomotives. At the end point in India's commercial center Mumbai she was given a grand farewell by her workmates, including beating drums and artistic movements.

"I never imagined I'd pilot rail vehicles till I became 60," Ms Yadav says.

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

Those small directional indicators always helped her find the way.