Odisha Republic Day Tableau Celebrates ‘Nari Shakti’, Showcases Journey of Woman Loco Pilot from Sundargarh

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Government showcased a compelling tableau on the theme ‘Women in the Transport Sector’ during the State-level Republic Day celebrations at Mahatma Gandhi Marg on Monday, highlighting Nari Shakti and narrating the inspiring journey of a woman locomotive pilot from Sundargarh district.

The tableau brought into focus the life of Munni Tigga (41) from Hatibari village in Sundargarh, who has been serving as a freight train driver for the past 14 years, overcoming poverty, social barriers and gender stereotypes in a traditionally male-dominated field.

Born into a farming family, Tigga was a bright student and topped her batch in 2002 while studying at Kumjharia Girls’ High School. However, financial hardship forced her to discontinue her education as her father, struggling to support seven children, expressed his inability to fund her higher studies.

Following this setback, Tigga began assisting her father in their small agricultural field. As the family’s financial condition remained strained, she later took up work as a labourer in a private factory located around 13–14 kilometres from her home.

Recalling her early struggles, Tigga said her mother would wake her up at 2 am every day, after which she would leave on a bicycle an hour later to reach her workplace. Despite the absence of proper road connectivity, she travelled long distances daily and returned home late in the evening, displaying remarkable determination and courage.

A turning point came in 2004 when Tigga visited her elder sister’s home in Rourkela and noticed that one of her school friends was pursuing higher education. Inspired, she enrolled in Plus II Science at SG Women’s College in Rourkela. However, due to personal reasons, she could not clear the examinations two years later, leaving her disheartened once again.

During this difficult phase, a group of students preparing for competitive examinations near her sister’s residence encouraged her not to give up and advised her to appear for railway recruitment examinations. Motivated by their support, Tigga joined a Government ITI College in Bargarh in 2006, marking a decisive shift in her life.

After completing her technical training, she appeared for railway examinations across different zones. Her perseverance paid off when she was selected as an Assistant Loco Pilot in November 2011. She was promoted to the post of Loco Pilot in 2016. Tigga got married in 2013 and is now a mother to a son and a daughter.

Currently, she operates goods trains on the Palasa–Khurda route, serving as a role model for countless women aspiring to break barriers. “Providing education to my children is my top priority, and I want to see them grow as independent individuals,” Tigga said, adding that every woman should pursue her dreams and not bow to societal pressures.

Through this tableau, the State Government not only celebrated women’s growing presence in the transport sector but also underscored the spirit of resilience and self-belief that defines Odisha’s Nari Shakti.