Asha's Leap of Faith: Building Equity in Manufacturing

Born in Kerala, Asha spent the first ten years of her childhood there before moving with her family to Solapur in Maharashtra. At a young age, Asha faced a huge cultural difference and struggled to adapt to her new surroundings and make friends. However, she persevered and started her schooling in Solapur. She was a bright student and excelled in her studies. After completing her schooling, Asha decided to pursue her graduation in commerce at Shivaji Vidyapith in Kolhapur. She was determined to make the most of this opportunity and worked hard to achieve her goals. During her college years, Asha became interested in personal development and self-improvement. She began reading books and attending seminars on leadership, communication, and emotional intelligence. In 2002, she also completed her postgraduation from Shivaji Vidyapeeth in commerce.

From the very beginning of her, she was raised to be an independent woman. Her father taught her to stand on two feet and encouraged her to pursue her dreams. But even with this strong foundation, Asha faced challenges she could never have imagined. After graduation, Asha got married, but her happiness was short-lived as her marriage didn't work out. When Asha shifted to Pune with her 4-month-old child, she had no idea what was in store for her. But she refused to let her circumstances define her. With a single penny in her hand, she began to build a new life for herself and her child. She took risks, faced challenges, and made sacrifices, all with the goal of creating a better future for herself and her family.

With a baby to care for, she needed to find a stable job to support her family. She completed a course in Medical Transcript and got a job in the same field. However, she soon realized that this sector had no financial security, and she needed a more stable job. That is when Asha applied for a job at Renishaw. Renishaw is a global engineering and scientific technology company specialising in designing, developing and manufacturing advanced precision measurement and motion control systems. Asha started her career with Renishaw India as a coordinator and later joined their Additive Manufacturing division, gaining valuable experience in the manufacturing industry.

However, during her time at Renishaw, Asha developed a keen interest in human psychology. She started reading books and attending seminars on the subject. Her colleagues used to come to her and discuss their problems, and she would provide them with solutions. After completing 12 years in Renishaw, she pursued her ICF Certification in Coaching and training. However, she felt her true calling was in coaching and mentoring, so she decided to switch careers. She started her coaching and training business in Pune and soon gained a reputation as a highly effective coach. Today she works with individuals and corporates, helping them overcome challenges and achieve their goals. She also works with many manufacturing companies, training their workforce in leadership, communication, and other soft skills.

In today's world, it's unfortunate that gender discrimination still exists in various fields. While some industries have made strides towards promoting equality, others still have a long way to go. This is where the concept of equity comes into play. "Equity means fairness and justice, providing equal opportunities to all individuals regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or other factors. It is the opposite of discrimination and is essential for creating a just and inclusive society", says Asha.

Asha's experience in the coaching field highlights the prevalence of gender bias in certain industries. Despite being a successful professional with no experience of discrimination in her manufacturing career, she encountered challenges when she entered the coaching field. "In most of the companies towards training, the male participants were hesitant to open up with me, and it took time for me to make them overcome the patriarchal mindset, which was critical to achieving the objectives", adds Asha,

However, Asha didn't let this stop her from doing her job. She persisted and worked hard to break down these barriers, eventually earning the trust and respect of her clients. Through her experiences, she advocates for embracing equity and eliminating gender discrimination in all aspects of life. "One way to promote equity is by creating a level playing field in the workplace. Companies should actively seek out and hire qualified female candidates for all roles, regardless of whether the position is traditionally male-dominated. This will help break down the barriers that often prevent women from advancing in their careers and promote gender equality", shares Asha.

Asha makes it a point to encourage the manufacturing companies she collaborates with to bring equity to the workforce. "By embracing equity, companies can create an inclusive workplace culture where all employees feel valued and supported. This includes training and development programs, networking opportunities, and fair compensation irrespective of gender", says Asha. Asha's experience in the coaching field highlights the prevalence of gender bias in certain industries and the need for change.

When Asha worked hard to build her career, she faced strong societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. People told her that she wasn't thinking about her child's future and that she should sacrifice her dreams for the sake of her family. But Asha refused to let these voices bring her down. She knew that she had the strength and determination to create her destiny. Through it all, Asha's parents were her emotional rock. They never stopped believing in and supporting her, even when others doubted her abilities. And Asha never gave up, took risks, made sacrifices, and always kept her eyes on the goal to make a difference with her contribution to the community.

Asha is a strong advocate for young women to become independent and demand equity. She knows from personal experience how important it is to have the confidence to grab equal opportunities and make your own choices. Her message to young women is clear: don't be afraid to ask for what you deserve, and never let anyone hold you back because of your gender. Asha wants all young women to know that they have the power to create their path and should never settle for less than they deserve. She says that there is always a ‘Leap of Faith’.

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