Akanksha Kumari has become the first-ever woman mining engineer in Coal India's history to work in its underground mines. Ms Kumari scripted history by joining Central Coalfields Limited (CCL) at its Churi underground mines in the North Karanpura area of Jharkhand. In a tweet shared Tuesday, Central Coalfields Limited - a subsidiary of Coal India - said that Akanksha Kumari became the first woman mining engineer to join CCL.
"A graduate of BIT Sindri, Ms Kumari broke the gender barriers by joining Churi UG mine, NK Area. She became the 1st women mining engineer in the history of CIL to work in underground mines," read the tweet.
CCL gets its first ever #women mining engineer, Ms Akanksha Kumari.
— Central Coalfields Limited (@CCLRanchi) August 31, 2021
A graduate of BIT Sindri, Ms Kumari broke the gender barriers by joining Churi UG mine, NK Area. She became the 1st women mining engineer in the history of CIL to work in underground mines
Salute to #WomenPower pic.twitter.com/s0twlDPpws
In a statement released by Bihar's Press Information Bureau, Central Coalfields said that its women employees have excelled in a number of roles, ranging from officer to doctor to security guard to even running heavy machinery. However, this is "the first time when the core mining activity of one of the biggest coal mining companies of the world will witness this progressive change."
"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 and the first woman to work in an underground coal mine," the statement read.
Union Minister of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi congratulated Ms Kumari on her achievement.
Progressive Governance: To promote gender equality & generate more opportunities, Govt under PM @narendramodi ji allowed women to work in underground coal mines.
— Pralhad Joshi (@JoshiPralhad) August 31, 2021
Ms Akanksha Kumari becomes the 1st woman mining engineer in @CoalIndiaHQ to work in an underground mine.@smritiirani pic.twitter.com/M58KQP1JCB
Three-time BJP MP PC Mohan hailed it as a historic moment for gender representation.
A historic moment for gender representation!
— P C Mohan (@PCMohanMP) August 31, 2021
Justices Hima Kohli, BV Nagarathna, and Bela M Trivedi — three women took oath as judges of the #SupremeCourtOfIndia.
Ms. Akanksha Kumari becomes the 1st woman mining engineer at @CoalIndiaHQ to work in an underground mine. pic.twitter.com/6qE6FteJyM
The official Twitter account of the Ministry of Coal also congratulated the engineer and wrote: "You are an inspiration to many women."
A big congratulations to Ms. Akanksha Kumari to become the 1st woman mining engineer in @CoalIndiaHQ to work in an underground mine. You are an inspiration to many women. #WomenEmpowerment https://t.co/RltxP6ZVcx
— Coal Ministry (@CoalMinistry) August 31, 2021
A resident of Barkagaon in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand, Akanksha Kumari belongs to the mining belt and witnessed mining activities from close quarters since she was a child. With a natural interest in mines, she opted to study mining engineering at Birsa Institute of Technology Sindri.
Ms Kumari says she received unflinching support from her family which allowed her to pursue her dreams.
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