Darjeeling: The iconic Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR), popularly known as India’s ‘Toy Train’ service, got its first woman Train Ticket Examiner (TTE) in its 146-year history.
Sarita Yolmo (55), began her railway career at the hospital in Tindharia before moving to the printing press in Kurseong, where she worked for years. She then went on to become a TTE and travelled on broad-gauge trains operating out of New Jalpaiguri, as reported by The Indian Express.
Finally, she was selected to work as a TTE on a Toy Train and history was created.
“The tracks of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (DHR) of Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) are witnessing a historic milestone as Sarita Yolmo takes on the mantle of the first woman Travelling Ticket Examiner (TTE) assigned to the prestigious ‘Tour Duty’ on the world-heritage site railway,” the Northeast Frontier Railway chief public relations officer said, as reported by ANI.
Sarita was assigned duty as a TTE on the DHR route between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling for the first time on February 5.
“As TTE in the DHR, I was thrilled and equally tense as I was the only TTE, while in other trains I had many colleagues travelling with me as TTEs. Above all, taking care of so many passengers for the 10-hour-long journey between New Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling itself was another new episode for me,” Hindustan Times quoted Sarita as saying.
Sarita studied at Sonada High School up to Class 12 and later enrolled in college in Darjeeling, the report says. However, she had to discontinue her studies in the first year after securing a railway job in 1991.
Her husband, Dawa Yolmo, who retired a year ago as a senior section engineer from the railway workshop at Tindharia, expressed pride in her achievement.
“Sarita is not only a dedicated railway employee. She is equally a dedicated mother and wife, and now that she has become the first woman train ticket collector has brought yet another responsibility on her shoulders,” he said.
“We are happy for Sarita and would wish her the best.” DHR director Rishab Choudhury said.
