Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha felicitates Debolina Roy, the state’s first woman Assistant Loco Pilot, aboard Tripura’s first electric train, highlighting women empowerment, inclusive growth, and progress in railway infrastructure.
In a powerful moment symbolising women empowerment, inclusive growth, and empathetic leadership, Tripura Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha felicitated Debolina Roy, the state’s first woman Assistant Loco Pilot, during a journey aboard Tripura’s newly launched electric train service.
The recognition took place on the evening of February 4, when the Chief Minister was returning to Agartala by train after concluding a day-long schedule of official engagements in Unakoti district. During the journey, Dr. Saha was informed that one of the locomotive crew members operating the electric train was Debolina Roy, a young professional from Tripura who has created history by entering a field traditionally dominated by men.
Moved by the information, the Chief Minister expressed his desire to personally meet her. Upon the train’s arrival at Agartala railway station, Dr. Saha interacted with Debolina Roy and felicitated her, congratulating her for breaking long-standing gender barriers within the Indian Railways.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Saha said he felt immense pride knowing that a daughter of Tripura was playing a key technical role in the operation of the train. He noted that while discussions on women empowerment are common, its real success lies in women actively participating in technical, operational, and leadership roles across sectors.
The Chief Minister highlighted that daughters of Tripura are now excelling in diverse fields, including aviation, engineering, and railways. He described Debolina’s achievement as a matter of pride not only for her family but for the entire state. Dr. Saha further stressed that recognising such milestones is essential to inspire more young women to pursue careers beyond traditional boundaries.
The moment gained added significance as it unfolded aboard Tripura’s first electric train service, which began operations just two days earlier. Expressing satisfaction over the journey, the Chief Minister said that the launch of electric train services marked a new chapter in Tripura’s railway infrastructure and development trajectory, reflecting progress toward sustainable and modern transportation.
For Debolina Roy, the recognition was both unexpected and deeply motivating. Having joined the Indian Railways approximately three and a half years ago, she described the interaction with the Chief Minister as a memorable milestone in her professional journey. She said meeting the Chief Minister for the first time and receiving his appreciation made her feel proud, confident, and encouraged.
Debolina shared that Dr. Saha congratulated her warmly and enquired about her experience as an Assistant Loco Pilot, including the duration of her service and her role in operating trains. She said the conversation reinforced her belief that dedication and determination can help women succeed in any field.
A resident of Ramnagar-7 in Agartala, Debolina completed her schooling at Don Bosco School before pursuing a diploma in Electrical Engineering from Tripura Institute of Technology. She later moved to Kolkata, where she completed her B.Tech in Electrical Engineering. After graduating in 2017, she began preparing for government service examinations and eventually fulfilled her childhood dream by joining Indian Railways as an Assistant Loco Pilot.
Speaking to the media, Debolina said that working for Indian Railways had been her dream since childhood. She added that her journey stands as proof that women can excel in roles historically viewed as male-dominated. According to her, determination, discipline, and confidence are key to overcoming social stereotypes.
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Her achievement has drawn widespread appreciation from various sections of society. Many observers noted that Debolina Roy’s success reflects the aspirations of Tripura’s youth and highlights the expanding opportunities for women in India’s workforce.
The brief yet warm interaction at the railway station stood out as a symbolic moment, illustrating that leadership is reflected not only through policies and infrastructure projects but also through simple gestures that recognise individual achievement, inspire confidence, and reinforce the ideals of inclusive development.
