The days of Indian women being confined to domestic roles are behind us. Today, they are making a significant impact in business, governance, and even the armed and police forces, defying long-held notions that these domains were exclusively male. Despite lingering gender biases, a growing number of women are pushing boundaries and excelling in traditionally male-dominated fields. Here, we profile two trailblazers who have successfully bridged the gender divide, inspiring others to follow in their footsteps.
On International Women’s Day, Ommcom News celebrates the trailblazing women who have shattered glass ceilings and carved a niche for themselves in male-dominated fields. These women are the epitome of courage, resilience, and determination, inspiring generations to come.
Bibhusita Das: Breaking Barriers in Marine Engineering
Bibhusita Das, Odisha’s first woman marine engineer, has always been fascinated by the sea. Growing up in Cuttack, she would spend hours poring over pictures of exotic islands, bustling ports, and vast oceans, dreaming of a life at sea. As a child, she longed to be a globetrotter, sailing the world’s waters.
Bibhusita’s passion for the sea led her to pursue a career in marine engineering. She recalled, “I wanted to do something different from routine jobs. I loved reading about sea voyages and expeditions, and being a mariner seemed like a natural fit. Although many were skeptical about my choice, my parents encouraged me to follow her dreams, despite having no background in the shipping or marine sector.”
Today, Bibhusita is a trailblazer in her field, inspiring others to break barriers and pursue their passions.
Bibhusita Das’s journey to becoming Odisha’s first woman marine engineer was not without its challenges. Despite societal pressure and conventions, she persevered, driven by her passion for the sea. “The road to success was not easy, but with hard work, drive, and passion, I made it possible,” she said.
After completing her B.Tech in marine engineering from CV Raman Engineering College in 2007, Bibhusita worked as a lecturer in Tirunelveli for six months. In 2008, she joined the Shipping Corporation of India as a fourth engineer and was promoted to third engineer within just eight days.
Bibhusita said that while pursuing her engineering degree, she was one of only seven girls in her batch, and the only one who opted for onboard sailing.
“One of my teachers used to discourage me saying ‘No company is going to hire you because you are a girl. The shipping sector is meant exclusive for men.’ His words had no impact on me because I was sure about my ambition and aspiration. I opted for onboard sailing almost throughout the year.”
Recollecting her first stay on board, she said, “I recall my first experience on board a vessel, sailing from Chennai to Port Blair in 2008, as both tough and exhilarating. As the lone woman officer in the crew, I didn’t face any issues, but I did develop sea sickness, which didn’t impress my master mariner. The mariners on board doubted my ability to withstand the rigors of the profession, simply because I was a woman. They thought I wouldn’t be able to handle prolonged sailing and sea exposure. But I was determined to prove them wrong. With tenacity and renewed vigor, I stuck to the task and ultimately proved my doubters wrong.”
One incident that stands out in Bibhusita’s memory is when a cyclone hit the cargo ship she was on just a day before it was set to reach the US. As the alarm sounded in the main engine, Bibhusita sprang into action, single-handedly resolving the issue without assistance. Her chief engineer was impressed, expressing his surprise and admiration for her capabilities.
“I still recall the time I was on a cargo ship, headed to the US, when a cyclone hit the sea with just a day left to reach our destination. As I stood on deck, the alarm rang out in the main engine, signaling a critical problem. Without hesitation, I sprang into action, relying on my training and expertise to troubleshoot the issue. I worked tirelessly, refusing to give up, until I finally resolved the problem on my own.”
She continued: “The chief engineer’s reaction was priceless. I never expected you to sort out this kind of major problem,” he admitted, a hint of surprise in his voice. He confessed that when I first joined the team as his subordinate, he had doubted my abilities, thinking that having a female engineer would increase his workload. But I had proven him wrong.”
Sunita Behera: Empowering Women Through Martial Arts
In a world where women’s safety is a growing concern, 30-year-old Sunita Behera is on a mission to empower the fairer sex. This young dynamo from Khurda, has transformed from a shy girl to a confident leader, training women and girls in martial arts for self-defense.
At the helm of the Kalinga Kanya Paika Akhada, Sunita is breaking barriers and challenging traditional norms. Paika Akhada, the ancient martial art of Odisha, was once the exclusive domain of men. But Sunita is changing that narrative, one kick at a time.
Paika Akhada has a rich history in Odisha. For centuries, men have practiced this traditional martial art, passing down techniques and strategies from generation to generation. Sunita’s initiative, Kalinga Kanya Paika Akhada, is not only preserving this cultural heritage but also making it accessible to women.
Sunita’s training center is more than just a martial arts school – it’s a platform for women to discover their inner strength and resilience. Here, girls and women from all walks of life come together to learn life-saving self-defense techniques and advanced strategies.
“Under my guidance, women are transformed, gaining confidence and self-assurance with each passing day. They learn to stand tall, to speak out, and to defend themselves against any adversity”, said Sunita.
She is a multi-faceted personality, a B.Tech student, and a yoga instructor with a diploma. Since her school days, she has been inspired by Swami Vivekananda’s ideals. She is drawn to the ideology and activities of RSS, and has shown keen interest in reading books related to the organization. She is passionate about tree plantation and environmental conservation, and has been working towards reviving Odisha’s traditional art and culture.
In short, she finds joy in environmental conservation and social service. Her notable work in tree plantation, environmental conservation, and climate change has earned her the ‘Prakrutibandhu’ award from the Odisha Forest Department in 2014. She has also received several other awards, including Best NSS Volunteer Award, Paika Akhada Guru Award, Khordha Gaurav, Guru Dronacharya Samman, Jai Rajguru Samman, Duhita Puraskar in 2021, Women Achiever Award in 2022, and Times of India’s State-level Times Woman Power Award in 2023, Woman Achievement Award Odisha in 2024, among many others.
Talented members of Kalinga Kanya Paika Akhada have showcased their impressive fighting skills at national-level events, earning accolades and recognition for their district. Their performances in Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Delhi, and Kerala have left audiences in awe, while their participation in local events like the Khurda Mahotsav, Sishupalgarh Mahotsav, and Bolgarh Mahotsav has further cemented their reputation as a force to be reckoned with.
By Rashmi Rekha Das
