WOMEN WARRIORS |
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SANGEETHA BALEKAI CE Development & Catalyst, Conquest Systems Services, Tirupur
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The journey …
I am leading the software division of our organization which provides Consulting, Software and Quality Assurance services to the garment industry.
I am in the industry since 1995 and working in this industry is purely accidental; I am a Graduate in Civil Engineering, did my Oracle courses, and now I am developing and implementing web-based ERP solutions for many industries, but primarily for the garment industry and its verticals.
The journey has been very enjoyable, the dynamism, the creativity, opportunity to continuously learn a lot of new things, meet, interact with a lot of people of different levels – Top Management, Buyers, Middle Management, Data Entry Operators, Production Floor Supervisors, QCs, and workers. Finally the satisfaction of
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experiencing the improvement in the organization. The users also find our ERP tool very useful and sometimes teach me back how it works …
Is this industry gender bias …?
I wouldn’ t say this industry is gender biased; opportunity is open to all. It’ s good to see a lot of women in top positions when we go to textile conferences compared to other engineering conferences. In fact, the industry looks for women talent for the fashion mindset and multi-tasking ability to work with a lot of details. At the same time, I would say that, it takes a little more assertive stance for a woman to establish herself and to be taken seriously.
I remember one incident distinctly … In the early years of my career, I once contacted a person for a business opportunity. He gave me an appointment and I was there with full bubbling hopes, but when I met him, he was straight forward enough to say that he had no real business opportunity, but he was surprised to hear from a woman for marketing in garment industry and was curious to meet‘ this woman’. I did not get any business from him, but was motivated to move forward beyond these boundaries.
During my professional life, I have met a lot of women who have little education but still are handling major activities in production due
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to their sheer acumen and talent. If we see as numbers, the proportion of women in middle-management is still low and there is a lot of scope for women to come up to this position. With a little more perseverance, this can be achieved.
Work-home life balance …
Yes, the industry is very demanding, and I think that is also the uniqueness of this industry. One has to find ways to keep refreshed to face the next day. Work-life balance is a challenge; there have been days when we used to go home late nights regularly. Because my spouse is from garment industry, the nature of work was well understood. Parent’ s support was crucial in the upbringing of children. Without family understanding, balance is not possible. Yet the challenge of two things in the to-do-list of every working woman – to manage the kitchen and monitor children’ s home work, is always there.
Now working hours are more streamlined to decent hours of working. So, we can find some time to keep up with some regular workouts. I personally do morning walks, meditation and believe in learning creative arts which freshens and sharpens the mind. I am also learning classical Music and Taichi( martial arts). This prevents me from getting stressed and regulates better working. I also enjoy trekking, holidaying to sportive locations.
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S. PADMAVATHI Principal-II / State Coordinator, ATDC, Karnataka
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The journey …
I have been in this industry for the last 2 years and it is by choice. I am very passionate about my work, so it’ s enjoyable and I do not feel any stress though it is a very demanding industry, as clothing is a basic need for human beings. I feel proud that I am a woman first and associated with this industry. As we are into vocational skill training, we train the youth. Preferably 80 per cent women who get employed in the apparel / retail / fashion industry which is a great fulfilling experience, and I enjoy every moment.
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Work-home balance …
I get appreciation from my family, friends, and colleagues that I balance my responsibilities at work and at home well. It’ s an art I learnt from my grandmother, who was excellent in managing time and multi-tasking.
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