Nowadays, 33-year-old Priti Kumari is undergoing an intensive training in driving at Railways’ Mahalaxmi workshop. “She is our pride”, says Shekhar Rode, an EMU driving instructor.

Priti Kumari started the motorman’s training in August 12, 2009. After a 12-month training, she will become a full-fledged motorwoman. Earlier, there were two motorwomen at Central Railway—Surekha Yadav and Mumtaz Kazi— but they had been recruited as assistant drivers. They were posted as motorwomen on EMU trains only after working for 14 years in different posts in railways. But Priti Kumari is the first directly recruited motorwoman.

“I always wanted to do something different. When I heard about Kalpana Chawla and other women who made history in different fields I also dreamt to do something special. So, when the railways called for motorman’s job, I also applied for that,”says Priti.

But how will she manage to work in three shifts?

Reply comes from Rode: “She is courageous. I’m confident about her. She will easily manage any situation.”

After the six-month training at Mahalaxmi workshop, Priti will have to undergo another six months of training on railway line too.

“During the online training, senior motormen will assist her while driving the train. It will increase her confidence,'' says Rode.

"Apart from giving training on driver's desk and power schematic circuit, my instructor is teaching me the nitty-gritty also. So, while driving a train, there will be no problem for me,'' says Priti.

She has taken a three-year diploma in Electronics from Government Women's Polytechnique in 2001 at Ranchi. Since 2005, Priti had been appearing for many railway exams. This year, she was the only woman to get through the railway board examination conducted to recruit motormen.

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