Surekha, now 51, became India’s first female passenger train driver in 1988. The Indian Railways, a traditionally male-dominated industry, had finally opened its doors to women.The most defining moment of her career was Women’s Day on March 8, 2011, when she was named Asia’s first woman train driver to run the Deccan Queen from Pune to ChhatrapatiShivaji Terminus railway station (CST), one of the most difficult rail routes. She won series of awards including JijauPuraskar (1998) Women achievers award (2001) Sahyadrihirkani award (2004) PrernaPuraskar (2005) Sarathi Award by Red Swasthik etc.
She was honored with INDIAN WOMEN ACHIEVERS AWARD by the President of India on January, 20, 2018 at New Delhi
