For the first time in the 100-year history of the Dakshin Railway Employees Union (DREU) in Chennai, a woman has taken charge as general secretary. Baby Shakeela, a Malayali, has been elected to the position. This also marks the first time in the country that a woman has assumed a leadership role in any railway zone-level union.
 

 

Hailing from Palakkad, Shakeela currently serves as Chief Office Superintendent in the Personnel Branch at the Southern Railway headquarters in Chennai.

She previously shone in the world of cricket as the captain of both the Calicut University Women’s Cricket Team and the Kerala State Women’s Cricket Team. Following her successful sporting career, she secured selection into the Indian Railways.