Women are in almost all fields. However, they were not allowed jobs in coal mining until 2019. A recent amendment by the Indian Government paved the way for the first woman miner to work in Coal India Ltd, the world’s largest coal miner.
All about Coal India’s 1st woman miner
Akanksha Kumari, an engineering graduate from Jharkand is the first Indian woman to start working in a coal mine. The 25-year-old stereotype crusher graduated from BIT Sindri. Moreover, she is officially posted in North Karanpura’s Churi underground mines under the Central Coalfields Limited (CCL). “Progressive Governance: To promote gender equality & generate more opportunities, Govt under PM @narendramodi Ji allowed women to work in underground coal mines. Ms. Akanksha Kumari becomes the 1st woman mining engineer in @CoalIndiaHQ to work in an underground mine.” tweeted Prahlad Joushi, the union minister of Coal.
“I developed a natural inquisitiveness towards mines and their activities since childhood. This encouraged me to opt for mining engineering at BIT Sindri in Dhanbad. I graduated in 2018. On August 25 this year, I formally joined CCL (HQ) and was posted in underground mines yesterday,” said Ms. Akanksha. “None from my family has a background in the mining and coal sector. But I thank them for their unflinching support that helped me follow my dreams,” she added.
More on women in the coal mining field
The new amendment of the Indian law permits women to work in new avenues. Additionally, it aims at improving female labor participation. “The enormity of her achievement can be gauged by the fact that Akanksha is the second mining engineer in the Maharatna Conglomerate Coal India Limited. Moreover, is first one to work in an underground coal mine,” stated CCL in the official statement.
The Headquarters of CCL is located in Ranji. The organization employes several women. However, they have taken up jobs ranging from security guards to doctors. Additionally, they also run several heavy pieces of machinery. But, this is the first time that a woman is working in the coal mines.
