Lalmonirhat's female train driver Farida Akter breaks barriers in male-dominated field | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
July 19, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2025
Lalmonirhat's female train driver Farida Akter breaks barriers in male-dominated field

Bangladesh

UNB
08 March, 2025, 03:25 pm
Last modified: 08 March, 2025, 03:44 pm

Related News

  • 14 held over Lalmonirhat Police Station attack, BNP and affiliated men suspended
  • Govt dismisses ex-asst commissioner Urmi over controversial Facebook post on CA
  • JaPa office set ablaze in Lalmonirhat
  • BSF pushes 11 people into Bangladesh through Lalmonirhat border
  • Mother, son die of electrocution in Lalmonirhat

Lalmonirhat's female train driver Farida Akter breaks barriers in male-dominated field

UNB
08 March, 2025, 03:25 pm
Last modified: 08 March, 2025, 03:44 pm
Farida, the lone female locomotive master (LM) in Lalmonirhat Railway zone, has defied societal norms to carve out a career in a field traditionally dominated by men. Photo: UNB
Farida, the lone female locomotive master (LM) in Lalmonirhat Railway zone, has defied societal norms to carve out a career in a field traditionally dominated by men. Photo: UNB

Amid the rhythmic clatter of train wheels on steel tracks, Farida Akter confidently takes the helm, steering the locomotive with firm determination.

Farida, the lone female locomotive master (LM) in the Lalmonirhat Railway zone, has defied societal norms to carve out a career in a field traditionally dominated by men.

A mother of four, she seamlessly balances the demands of her profession with her responsibilities at home, proving that determination knows no gender boundaries.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

Even with a 10-month-old daughter at home, she remains dedicated to her duty, earning the admiration of railway authorities and colleagues alike.

Farida resides in a government quarter at Lalmonirhat Railway Station with her husband, Tutul, and their two daughters and two sons.

Originally from Dinajpur, she has built a career in the railway sector while her husband works in a private job in Lalmonirhat.

"I took up this profession as a challenge," Farida told UNB.

"Since childhood, I wanted to pursue a challenging career. In 2014, I joined the railway as a locomotive master, and I have never looked back."

Farida firmly believes that family support is crucial for women in demanding careers.

"Without my family's encouragement, I wouldn't have come this far. The same applies to male train drivers—they, too, need support. As a woman in this field, I refuse to let societal opinions affect me," she said.

"I have four children, and my youngest one is just 10 months old. Yet, my family never complains when I leave for work," she said.

Over the past decade, Farida has not only mastered her role but also become an inspiration to many. Initially apprehensive, she soon fell in love with the thrill of guiding a train from station to station.

"Being a woman in a male-dominated society I had to face challenges and obstacles, but I never let them deter me," she said.

She has even developed the confidence to address mechanical issues herself when needed, a trait that has earned her respect from railway officials.

Kazi Sumon, the divisional loco in-charge of Lalmonirhat Railway, praised her dedication.

"Women are no longer confined within household walls. They play a vital role in economic and social development. Female train drivers, including Farida, perform their duties with utmost dedication. Her journey proves that no profession is beyond a woman's reach," he said.

Top News

Lalmonirhat / Train driver / Womens Day

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman spoke at the party's first national rally at Suhrawardy Udyan in the capital today (19 July). Photo: Md Jahidul Islam
    No extortion or corruption if Jamaat voted to power: Shafiqur at Suhrawardy rally
  • BNP activists launched protest marches across the district. Photo: TBS
    NCP rally disrupted, stage dismantled in Cox's Bazar over Patwari's remark about BNP's Salahuddin
  • Photo: Collected
    Jamaat Ameer Shafiqur hospitalised

MOST VIEWED

  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer after a meeting at state guest house Jamuna on 18 July 2025. Photo: Focus Bangla
    SpaceX VP Lauren Dreyer praises Bangladesh's efficiency in facilitating Starlink launch
  • Representational Photo: Collected
    Railway allocates special trains for Jamaat's national rally in Dhaka
  • Governments often rely on foreign loans. Russia’s loans covered 90% of the Rooppur Nuclear Power plant project's cost. Photo: Collected
    Loan tenure for Rooppur plant extended 
  • Representational image. Photo: Unsplash
    Mobile operators give 1GB free data to users observing 'Free Internet Day' today
  • Dollar rate falling fast – what it means for the economy
    Dollar rate falling fast – what it means for the economy
  • Chattogram-based Western Marine Shipyard Ltd has exported two tugboats—Ghaya and Khalid—to UAE-based Marwan Shipping Ltd, earning $1.6 million. The vessels were officially handed over at the Chittagong Boat Club on 17 July. Photo: Courtesy
    Refined sugar imports double in FY25 as duty cuts bite local refiners

Related News

  • 14 held over Lalmonirhat Police Station attack, BNP and affiliated men suspended
  • Govt dismisses ex-asst commissioner Urmi over controversial Facebook post on CA
  • JaPa office set ablaze in Lalmonirhat
  • BSF pushes 11 people into Bangladesh through Lalmonirhat border
  • Mother, son die of electrocution in Lalmonirhat

Features

Jatrabari in the capital looks like a warzone as police, alongside Chhatra League men, swoop on quota reform protesters. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

19 July 2024: At least 148 killed as government attempts to quash protests violently

19h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Curfews, block raids, and internet blackouts: Hasina’s last ditch efforts to cling to power

1d | Panorama
The Mymensingh district administration confirmed that Zamindar Shashikant Acharya Chowdhury built the house near Shashi Lodge for his staff. Photo: Collected

The Mymensingh house might not belong to Satyajit Ray's family, but there’s little to celebrate

1d | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

20 years of war, 7.5m tonnes of bombs, 1.3m dead: How the US razed Vietnam to the ground

1d | The Big Picture

More Videos from TBS

Hed: Syria, Israel agree US-brokered ceasefire.

Hed: Syria, Israel agree US-brokered ceasefire.

1h | TBS World
The way Dr. Shafiqur delivered his speech despite being ill

The way Dr. Shafiqur delivered his speech despite being ill

1h | TBS Today
Shock for Prosun Azad as father goes missing

Shock for Prosun Azad as father goes missing

1h | TBS Stories
Jamaat's ‘national rally’ today, leaders-activists throng Suhrawardy Udyan

Jamaat's ‘national rally’ today, leaders-activists throng Suhrawardy Udyan

2h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net