In those initial days, she moved in a surrounding that was not at all accustomed to such visual, that of a young urban working lady in the backdrop of a rustic rough mining surroundings, in a faraway land. But then, for her, the chosen profession and the sector both had been unusual, challenging, in sort of a way. Bidisha, a qualified geologist, joined one of the largest energy company of the country, knowing well that she would be assigned jobs in unusual places, mines, oil exploration sites etc. This was a time when majority of qualified Indian youth preferred the comfort and glitter of clean and more rewarding jobs in booming IT industry, much to the struggle, hardship and unattractive pay packets that most of core sector jobs offered.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I
I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference”
For Bidisha too, the road less traveled by, made all the difference. After a rigorous training schedule at a protected ambience of central training institute in the city, she was sent to a remote mine location, to complete her on job training and start her work. Did it upset her?
“Of course not. I was inducted as a geologist and site is where my work was.”
Those were the days, she enjoyed a lot. The work, the challenge, and the hardship, all were new to the young professional. But, she liked the adventure, the feeling of fulfillment that her work extended. The mine she worked in, is an open cast one, not operational then, but started operating later. Mining was a new foray for the organization and it was featuring on a significant position of the company’s priority list then. The twist in the tale came on her way for the same reason, as senior management kept a stern vigil on happenings of the area!
On a visit by the top senior officer of the company, young Bidisha came to his notice. Seeing a lady employee, in a mine, he was upset and became infuriated at the placement officials, for sending a lady, in such a location. He absolutely refused to hear their reasoning – which explained that being a geologist, her work required her to be in mines, and she herself had no objection with her situation. Then, his main concern was, on occurrence of any breach of safety for the lady, he, as a chief of family, would be held responsible. He did not consider mining areas to be suitable place for a lady, even if she happens to be a geologist!
She was transferred overnight to corporate center. “Did you miss the adventure or were you relieved to be back to the city?”
Well, she missed all the action of site alright, but felt overwhelmed by the concern shown by such a senior person for her safety and wellbeing. It was a nice feeling to be cared for, sealed her relation with the organization!
Her new position was also good. She considered herself lucky to have the privilege of working on oil exploration and production team, another new venture of the company and a good opportunity for a geologist. She gathered wide experience in a gamut of jobs related to oil exploration, for nine long years. Marriage and family happened in course of time, and this young geologist loves her role of mother almost at par if not more to her professional role.
Bidisha narrates her experience in oil exploration site, which was no less adventurous than the mining one. Moreover, this time, she had to leave her young child behind at home. How did it feel?
“Oh, it was full of mixed emotion. The job was absolutely a new and worthwhile experience. There was no permanent arrangements at the drilling site. I had to stay in a temporary pota cabin, and we worked day and night, really hard. Sometimes, I would long for my kid, and feel sad, but then I knew he was in good hands, I had a wonderful support system in husband and elders of family.”
These are the new generation of energy women of this country, who are completely at ease in switching roles, registering success in all. Bidisha claims to have never had any issue with husband being in the same organization or from a different region. Boundaries of all nature, are slowly thinning down in this land of diversity, perhaps more so, with women entering the professional area in a large way, nowadays!
In her present assignment, she is in the team of a new hydro project, which is being commissioned at a distant location of eastern part of the country. Is it the same excitement as being in a remote site before, or is it different now for a mother and wife?
Well, husband is with her, which is an advantage of being in the same organization. The hilly terrain is her new habitat. The picturesque locality might look attractive to onlookers and visitors, but staying there with a toddler is difficult. Still, when she is at the site, working, these issues take a backseat and job at hand, of building a project, becomes priority.
“Yes, as each milestone is achieved, our world turns happier. In such a site, the line between home and work actually blurs. Away from friends and family, colleagues fill that void, especially in a small project.”
Is there a regret for not opting for a city based job, in sectors like IT, which many of her friends from college must have landed into?
“Not exactly. It would have been a very different field from what I have actually studied and have been trained for.”
Does she realize that she belongs to a very sparse percentage of women in energy sector? Any feeling for that?
Yes, she does. No feeling of extra pride or anything special for that, in fact she too admits that the perception of energy being a male dominated field hovers big in the workplace and society at large. It takes an extra effort sometimes for women in her field, for gaining acceptance. But she is hopeful that scenario has started to change, even if the change is quasi static, not exactly visible!
She with her contemporaries and predecessors in this field, would be harbinger of that change. When she is told that, she glows happily. Work life balance is not much of a problem for this young energy professional, as she feels, her scopes are defined well. An avid runner, and a member of running group, she has participated in various running events, managing priorities has never been an issue.
Her son would surely be extremely proud of both his parents. And when he grows up, he would probably have lot of respect for women, because of his mother.
Oh, that’s a long call, this young mother and a brave energy woman of today, breaks up into sweetest smile at the mention of her child. But then she has two, not one. The budding project is also a childlike for her for now and she attends to both with equal vigor and care, for both to grow up into her success stories, one hopefully lot earlier of course, than other!