By – Prakarsh Kastwar
Ritika, a mechanical engineering graduate from BIT Mesra, began her work with Indian Railways.
Ritika Tirkey, 27, of a tribal community in Jharkhand, has become a source of inspiration and pride after being appointed as the Loco Pilot for Vande Bharat Express. She is now in charge of the Tatanagar-Patna Vande Bharat Express, which was officially launched on Sunday by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This achievement represents a key milestone in Ritika’s career, demonstrating her devotion and hard work. It is very inspiring to see her improve, especially as she becomes a role model for many others! Continue to aim high!
Ritika, a mechanical engineering graduate from BIT Mesra, began her work with Indian Railways. She began her railway career in 2019 as a “shunter” at the Chakradharpur Division of the South Eastern Railway (SER), where she also worked on cargo and passenger trains.
She worked her way up the ranks to Senior Assistant Loco Pilot before being given the opportunity to help operate the excellent Vande Bharat Express. Such things are still very rare nowadays, particularly in railways, which is more or less a male-dominated industry, so Ritika’s success must be a significant step toward breaking down barriers for young ladies across the country.
She was the first woman to drive the Vande Bharat on a trial run, and she officially launched the inaugural Tatanagar-Patna Vande Bharat Express on September 15, 2024, alongside loco pilot S. S. Munda.
Ritika Tirkey, who comes from a lower middle-class household in Jharkhand, refused to allow the hardships of training and the demanding process deter her from becoming a loco-pilot. She worked hard from childhood in a mostly tribal village to becoming the leader of one of India’s most famous trains.
As a technical professional working in the subject of infrastructure development in the country, Ritika is not only establishing herself as a role model for millions of girls, but also demonstrating that women can thrive in any industry of their choosing. Ritika, a member of a tribal village with a decent-paying job, helps to dismantle socioeconomic and cultural inequality and the demand for diversity in the Indian workforce.
Ritika Tirkey’s success demonstrates that women, particularly those from poor backgrounds, should be encouraged to pursue professions in engineering. She plays an important role in the story of transformation and progress by serving as the loco-pilot of the Vande Bharat Express. As India modernizes its railways with new generation trains such as the Vande Bharat, Ritika’s tale inspires young girls to pursue STEM fields and believes that every ambition is feasible with hard work.