Bhubaneswar, June 17: Munni Tigga, a 25-year-old tribal girl from Rutkukudi village, stole the show during the launch of the Odisha Skill Development Authority. She was felicitated by chief minister Naveen Patnaik today.

Tigga, who cycled 37 kilometres everyday to attend her classes at Industrial Training Institute in Bargarh is working as a locopilot in the Indian Railways.

She had to work as a labour to save money for her intermediate examination and ITI course. Today, she drives the Visakhapatnam Intercity Express every alternate day from Bhubaneswar to Palasa.

After clearing her matriculation from a government school, she worked at a construction site for about two years to support her family financially.

From the money she saved by working at construction sites, she enrolled herself at the ITI ,where she opted for electrical and mechanical trade.

"I wanted to do something which girls usually don't. I was sure that there is nothing a girl can't do. I took it as a challenge. There is no greater joy than seeing my mother taking pride in my achievement," said Tigga.