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award winners
Muni Tiga , odisha
Muni Tiga, a trail blazing woman from Rutkukudi village in Sundargarh district of Odisha, has emerged as the first female loco pilot of Odisha in Indian Railways despite all odds. From handling cattle to now associating with the Shatabdi Express goes to prove that she is tough and brave.
Muni was cut off from the rest at school. There were seven siblings at home, and she traveled 30 kilometers daily to go to school. Naturally, she had her share of adversities, the most significant of which came early after she lost her father. It was because of her love of education that made her attain admission at the Government ITI in Bargarh and complete her study in electrical engineering, thus paving the way for her destiny as a loco pilot.
Introducing Muni Tiga, the first woman locomotive pilot from Odisha- she has broken all barriers in a male-dominated world. Since she operates the Shatabdi Express to Palasa, this is an evident commitment and fearlessness to pursue dreams, motivating women literally across the length and breadth of the country. No matter how much the villagers mocked her, Muni did not waver from her goals and steadiness. Confronting social pressure and stigma, she proved those with regular hard work could convert stones on the paths mentioned.
This clearly highlights how one needs to be assertive in education and believe in themselves. As a role model, she stands to encourage rural folk to imagine having those dreams and going after those dreams using them to foster better jobs-not simply for tradition-breaking jobs, heaving showing how determination and drive can make wonders for future possibilities.