At the India Today Conclave South, Commander Prasanna Edayilliam (retd), former Indian Navy Air Traffic Control officer and Vizhinjam International Seaport crane operators Nathana Mary JD and Shiji U spoke about breaking barriers in traditionally male-dominated professions. They shared how resistance, limited opportunities and workplace expectations often made their journeys challenging, but training, institutional support and persistence helped them succeed.
Prasanna recalled fighting for greater career rights for women officers and the difficulties she faced in a workplace largely designed for men. Nathana said training and support from managers helped her gain confidence as a crane operator, while Shiji, the sole earning member of her family, said she persisted despite initially finding the job difficult. “Women can enter into any field. With opportunity and proper training, it will give [them] a level playing field,” Nathana said.
The three women stressed the importance of giving women opportunities, training and support to enter unconventional careers. Prasanna also noted that access to information has expanded the choices available to young women. “Those days there was no Google to help. There was no information source. Now everything is available,” she said. “You should have the passion. You will achieve it.”
