Edition 55

you credit as being the driving force behind
this achievement?
I think my sincerity towards my job and
my adaptability have been very important
virtues. I am a Civil Engineer, basically, but
I’ve been posted to various departments
in IndianOil - in projects, training,
administration, ministry coordination, and
handling materials and contracts. For the last
two years, I have been handling shipping,
which is an entirely different field that not
many people are conversant with. My posting
in the shipping department was at a time
when COVID-19 had just started and I was
still trying to learn the basics. Maintaining
the supply of Crude Oil, (Major Raw Material)
to various refineries was a major challenge.
In spite of all these hardships, there was
no break in the supply of crude oil and the
company continued its business as usual.
Were there any particular challenges you
faced in the workplace considering the
male-dominated environment present in
your organisation at that time?
Yes, there were many challenges while
working in a male-dominated field. When
I joined the Mathura refinery, I was the only
woman working there.
At that time colleagues were not used to
having females at work. Basic facilities
like ladies toilets were not there and
no one would sit with me on the bus
ferrying us to the workplace. Colleagues
used to find it hard to get acquainted.
It was very lonely staying away from
home for the first time and in a maledominated
area.
There were many such problems on the way.
Initially, since the number of female officers
was very less, there were incidents in which
my boss would get up and open the door
of his cabin whenever I was present inside.
I used to feel very bad about it initially.
However, as the confidence between us grew
and the situation changed, things took a turn
for the better. I am very happy to say that I
get along very well with my male colleagues
and I don’t face any issues while working
with them.
In a carrer spanning over 40 years, what
changes have you observed in the situation
of women in the workplace?
Gradually, things are improving as more
women are joining these organisations. The
mindset of the colleagues over the years has
also changed drastically.
In the earlier days, women engineers
were not assigned shift duties whereas
nowadays, they are deputed for night
shifts and other male-dominated
departments. It is extremely heartening
to see them doing well in every field.
Our organisation is providing them with a
large number of facilities as well and we
are very proactive about the development
of women and inclusive growth. We have a
networking module called Maitreyi which
is a platform for women to come together
to interact with and guide each other and
also have knowledge sharing sessions. The
situation has been altered beyond belief.
The facilities offered to women at the unit
level and the plant level have also increased
in proportion to their representation in the
workplace.
Overall, I’m quite happy with the way my
organisation is working towards women
empowerment. The refineries division of
IOCL is now going to be headed by a female
director which is a very proud moment for all
the women of IOCL.
Finally, what advice would you like to give
to students who wish to achieve success in
their respective fields? Is there a mantra for
success that you personally follow?
According to me, there is no particular
mantra or recipe for success. The
only important things are self-belief,
sincerity, adaptability and creating our
own brand value.
My experiences during my career
corroborate this fact. Skill upgradation and
diversifying our portfolios as per need is
another extremely important aspect because
the requirements of the trade are changing
at supersonic speed and unless we keep
pace with changing scenarios, we will be left
out in the race.
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