In the driver’s seat

“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.

As many as 440 candidates had appeared for the written examination. Finally,only 68 candidates were selected. Now,around 57 candidates are undergoing the training.

A resident of Bhagpur in Bihar and eldest daughter in the family,Priti got married to Devkant Darbey – a sergeant in Indian Air Force posted at Nasik – in 2000. Now,she has a six-year-old daughter Aditi.

For the job,Priti,who is hailing from a middle class family,has to be away from her husband and little daughter. “My daughter is with her grandparents at Bhagpur,” she says. “I miss them (her daughter and husband),but this is part of life. I even stayed at a hostel when I was doing my diploma.”

According to her,Bihar is a conservative place. “But,now things are changing. Parents want to educate their daughters. All my family members are educated. My mother Mridula Sinha is working with Saksharta Mission and my father Shaligram has opened an intermediate co-education college at Amarpur. Girls will not be deprived of education. My sister Priyanka is married and second sister is also doing diploma. My brother Rajeev Ranjan is a junior engineer in Railways,” she says.

Asked how she feels being a motorwoman,she says,“Exciting. My parents and other relatives call me after reading my story in newspapers and watching me on TV channels. They feel proud and I’m glad.”