Mail News Service
Jamshedpur, Jan 20: Ritika Tirkey, a 27-year-old trailblazer from Jamshedpur, has made history as the first female loco pilot of the Vande Bharat train. In a remarkable achievement, Ritika has been invited by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, to attend the prestigious At-Home reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan on the evening of Republic Day, January 26, 2025.
The formal invitation was delivered to Ritika’s residence in Jugsalai, Jamshedpur, by the postman under the supervision of Assistant Postal Superintendent (West), Parikshit Seth. This honour comes as a recognition of her outstanding achievements in a male-dominated field, where she has broken barriers to carve a path for women in the Indian Railways.
Ritika, who works as the assistant loco pilot of the Vande Bharat Express operating between Tatanagar and Patna, is not only the first tribal woman to take on this prestigious role but also a source of immense pride for her family and the state of Jharkhand. Her remarkable journey stands as an inspiration for women across the country, proving that with perseverance and determination, no dream is out of reach.
The Vande Bharat Express, a state-of-the-art train, is one of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream projects. Ritika’s journey with the Indian Railways began in 2019 when she joined as a shunter in the Chakradharpur division of South Eastern Railway (SER). She quickly advanced, operating freight trains and passenger services, before being promoted to Senior Assistant Loco Pilot. Her promotion in 2024 enabled her to take part in the operation of the Vande Bharat Express, where she now serves as a vital member of the crew.
Ritika, hailing from a humble family in Jharkhand, completed her schooling in Ranchi before pursuing a BTech in Mechanical Engineering from BIT Mesra. Her career with the railways started in Chandrapura, Bokaro, under the Dhanbad Division, before being transferred to Tatanagar in 2021. It was there that she received her promotion, propelling her to new heights in her career.
Her story is not just one of personal triumph, but a shining example of how women are breaking barriers in all fields. With the President’s invitation to the Republic Day reception, Ritika Tirkey has once again proven that with hard work, determination and resilience, she has earned her place among India’s trailblazers.
