Mumtaz M. Kazi

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Not to be confused with Mumtaz Ali Kazi.

Mumtaz M. Kazi
Kazi in 2017
Born
Mumbai, Maharashtra, Indian
Known forFirst Asian woman locomotive train driver
SpouseMaqsood Kazi
Awards2017 Nari Shakti Puraskar

Mumtaz née Maqsood Ahmed Kazi, also popularly known as Mumtaz M. Kazi, is an Indian train engineer who is also regarded as the first Indian woman to drive a diesel engine train.[1] She is also Asia's first woman locomotive driver after Surekha Yadav. She was awarded the Nari Shakti Puraskar in March 2017, coinciding the International Women's Day, by then Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.[2]

Early life

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Kazi was born and raised up in Mumbai, the commercial capital of the Maharashtra state, and hails from an orthodox Muslim family. She graduated from the Seth Anandilal Rodar High School in Santacruz in 1989.[3] Her father, Allarakhu Ismail Kathwala, served as an employee in the Indian Railways. Mumtaz followed in her father's footsteps and pursued a career as a full time train driver. However, she was initially not allowed by her father to take a job in the Railways department; he told her to complete the course in Medical Laboratory Technology, but Mumtaz later convinced him to change his mind.[4]

Career

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After her graduation in 1989, she applied for the post of engine driver.[5] She started driving trains at the age of 20, in 1991, and was recognised by the Limca Book of Records as the first Asian female locomotive driver in 1995.[3][6]

She was promoted from ALP-diesel to second motorwoman in 2005. After that she piloted the local trains on India's first and most congested railway route, the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus - Thane section, until 2023.[7]

She received Nari Shakti Puraskar award, an annual award recognizing the achievements of women in India.[8][9] She also received Railway General Manager Award in 2015 from the Indian Railways.[citation needed]

Personal life

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She married electrical engineer Maqsood Kazi.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "Meet Mumtaz M. Kazi, Asia's first lady Diesel locomotive driver". Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Nari Shakti Puraskar awardees full list". Best Current Affairs. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 18 April 2020.
  3. ^ a b "Mumtaz M Kazi Asian Woman Train Driver | Indian Railway Train Pilot". Diary Store. 10 July 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  4. ^ "India's first 'motor-woman' lives her dream on the railway tracks". The Indian Express. 22 March 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  5. ^ a b "Asia's first woman to drive a diesel train is an Indian". Rediff. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  6. ^ Tahseen, Ismat (8 March 2019). "Meet the Mumbai women who drive the city's trains". The Times of India. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Mumbai rains: Motorwoman Mumtaz Kazi pilots CST-Thane train for 23 hours". Mumbai Mirror. 8 September 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  8. ^ "Mumtaz - Asia's First Woman Diesel Engine Driver, Gets 'Nari Shakti Puraskar' By The President". indiatimes.com. 9 March 2017. Retrieved 3 November 2019.
  9. ^ Taneja, Richa (8 March 2017). "Mumbai's Mumtaz, Asia's First Woman Diesel Engine Driver, Gets "Nari Shakti Puraskar"". Everylifecounts.NDTV.com. Retrieved 3 November 2019.