36-yr-old mom sets record by clearing gangman test

A mother of two created a record by being the first ‘gangwoman’ in Tangedco, Tiruchy region. The grueling physical test was conducted on Wednesday for thousands of candidates, out of which Pennarasi was the only woman to clear the test.

Tangedco conducts a very tough physical fitness test for the post of gangman, which includes climbing atop an electric pole, and also a 100 metre running race.

The test commenced on December 9 and concluded on Tuesday, December 18 in which 400 candidates out of 1,600 were successful from the districts like Tiruchy Thanjavur, Salem, Pudukkottai and Ariyalur.

On Tuesday, Pennarasi (36), of Valavattikuppam village in Ariyalur district had set a record of connecting the cross plate within 6.43 minutes out of 8 minutes, 1.40 minutes for connecting the gripper and just 25 seconds in the 100 meter running race with the steel plate. She was selected on the spot. Interestingly, out of 41 women participated in the physical test, Pennarasi is the only woman who qualified. The officials said that Pennarasi’s husband Alagarasan has been working as a contract labourer in Tangedco and he could not appear for the gangman test as he did not meet the age criteria.

An elated Pennarasi said she practiced for four days before the physical test under the guidance of her husband. “Since my husband could not become a permanent employee, he asked me to try and I’m so happy that I cleared the test and got selected,” she said. Pennarasi got married to Alagarasan 16 years ago and the couple has a daughter named Aparna and a son named Aravindaraj.