In India’s crowded railway stations, amidst the rush of passengers and the echoing whistle of trains, a few women stand out coolies — not because of glamour or fame, but because of their sheer strength and spirit. They are India’s female porters — women who carry not just luggage on their heads, but the weight of stereotypes, hardship, and hope.
Two names shine brightest in this story of courage: Manju Devi from Rajasthan and Sandhya Maravi from Madhya Pradesh.
Manju Devi – The First Woman Porter of India (Rajasthan)
In the year 2013, history was made at the Jaipur Railway Station. Among hundreds of male porters in red uniforms, a new face appeared — Manju Devi, a widow from Sikar district, Rajasthan.
After losing her husband, who was also a porter, Manju refused to depend on anyone. She applied for his badge and insisted on continuing his work — a decision that shocked many. The railway officials hesitated; society questioned her. But Manju’s determination silenced all doubts.
Carrying passengers’ luggage on her head, Manju lifted not just bags but barriers. She became India’s first officially registered female porter, proudly wearing badge number 15.
Over time, Manju’s perseverance inspired many — she became a symbol of self-respect and strength. Her story reached newspapers, television, and inspired countless women who saw in her the courage to work with dignity, regardless of the job title.
Today, Manju Devi continues to work at Jaipur station, balancing family life and her duties with the same resolve that first made her pick up her husband’s badge.
Sandhya Maravi – The Pride of Madhya Pradesh
Four years later, another story of courage emerged from Madhya Pradesh. In 2017, Sandhya Maravi from Kundam village, Jabalpur district, took up work as a porter at Katni Junction after the untimely death of her husband.
Left with three young children — Sahil, Harshit, and Payal — and an elderly mother-in-law to care for, Sandhya had no financial support. Each day, she travels long distances (45–250 km depending on reports) to reach the station and begin her shift.
Among more than 40 male coolies, Sandhya is the only woman — yet she stands tall, lifting luggage with quiet strength and earning the respect of her co-workers. Her biggest dream is to educate her children and give them a life of dignity she once struggled for.
While she may not hold an official promotion yet, Sandhya’s story has earned her something greater — recognition across India as a symbol of resilience and women’s empowerment.
The Larger Message: Strength Has No Gender
Both Manju Devi and Sandhya Maravi redefine what it means to work with honour. In a world that still classifies jobs by gender, these women prove that dignity of labour belongs to everyone.
They remind us that: “No work is small when done with pride, and no woman is weak when driven by purpose.” Their red uniforms are not just a mark of profession — they’re badges of courage, worn by women who refused to let destiny decide their fate.
A Call to Empower
- Their journeys open a larger conversation about:
- Equal employment opportunities for women in non-traditional sectors
- Social security and recognition for unorganised workers
- Respect for every form of work — from the office desk to the railway platform
The next time we pass through a busy station, may we remember these women who carry our luggage and our nation’s hope — step by step, platform by platform.
Sandhya Maravi vs Manju Devi
While many online posts call Sandhya Maravi ‘India’s first female coolie,’ the title belongs to another remarkable woman — Manju Devi from Jaipur Junction, Rajasthan.
- Manju Devi, a widow from Sikar district, became India’s first officially registered female porter in 2013 at Jaipur Railway Station.
- Sandhya Maravi, from Kundam village in Madhya Pradesh, began working at Katni Junction in 2017 after her husband’s death.
- Thus, Manju Devi holds the record as the first woman coolie in India, while Sandhya Maravi is celebrated as Madhya Pradesh’s first woman coolie.
Both women symbolize dignity of labour, resilience, and gender equality — inspiring millions by proving that strength has no gender.
