By giving women opportunities in actual car manufacturing, the initiative has put them behind steering as regards their own growth

The Tata Motors’ all-woman automobile workshop creating a female battalion for manufacturing SUVs has shattered the male bastion automobile sector. The company’s ‘Woman in Blue’ Mission where young girls are educated, trained and enrolled in the car-making business goes a long way in empowering women workforce. The girls fortunate to connect with this initiative are more than grateful and feel it’s an opportunity that has helped them be in the driver’s seat to steer their future career. Here is what the young girl from the TCF-2 passenger vehicle line at Pune, Pimpri said:

Vaishnavi Wakale from Shegaon, Buldhana district says she doesn’t own a car but is fortunate to “make a car”.

“I belong to a small village and before connecting to the workshop I didn’t even know the cars name. Today, I can name each and every part of the car. It’s a proud moment for me,” Wakale shares, adding, “The SUVs Harrier and Safari have the engine fitted by me.”

Belying Gender-Specific Roles

Women are stereotypically considered ‘fragile’ and incapable of doing hardcore work but visiting Tata Motors’ woman’s workshop diminish these old notions. Varsha Gaikwad from Karjat, Ahmednagar district says, “I am a strong woman and capable of fitting more than hundreds of car seats daily.

“Tata” is a big name and getting an opportunity to work with this organisation is surreal. Initially I was doubtful about how a multinational company could employ a class XII passout small-town girl but today, working at the workshop invalidates my initial thoughts,” she shares.

For a country that has been known for alarming crimes against women, making ‘female employees’ work late hours was the biggest concern, but the company developed a secure workplace and transportation for its female army.

Anagha Balpande from Nagpur applauds the support and security the company provides, that has enabled women staff to work to the optimal.

Balpande underlines, “Today when I see Harriers and Safari on the road, I feel proud seeing the woman’s contribution in speed.”

The initiative at the Pimpri plant was only meant for the girls from Maharashtra but the company went the extra mile giving an opportunity to Nikita Shinde, who hails from Karnataka.

Nikita informs, “I approached Tata Motors and requested them for an opportunity and was lucky enough to be considered.”

Rupali Pachpohe from Akola, Nagpur highlights, “We are the first batch of Tata Motors’ Kaushalya, ‘Learn and Grow’ programme that gives us stipends and knowledge and it’s now our responsibility to inspire other girls to join the automotive league.”