Energetica India Magazine: september 2020

WOMEN INFLUENCERS India will require strong professionals to power its renewable energy ambitions over the next 5 years energetica INDIA- September_2020 33 to play when it comes to understanding local sentiments or policy issues. It’s important to recognise both men and women complement each other, and have distinct roles to play in the larger scheme of things within the renew- able energy sector. In India in particular, engaging with the local community and understanding on-the-ground challenges is important and women professionals inherently have an edge. This is because they are likely to have a better understanding of the local market and social and behavioural aspects of customers that drive decision-making. This is key to get- ting customer buy-in. This, combined with creativity, inno- vation and a collaborative mindset, can help the sector grow and create further opportunities for all women. My advice is to always stay curious and keep learning, per- haps by taking up a training programme which attracts the best and brightest from across the globe. Not only will this help improve your knowledge base, but the associat- ed networking will help you stay connected with others. How important is the role of family in maintaining a bal- ance between office work and family life for a working woman? Dr. Uma Rajarathnam : I believe family plays a key role in the success of a working woman. I’ve been fortunate enough to have the backing of my husband, children, parents and in-laws as I studied and managed the de- mands of my job. What I’ve learnt is that bringing about a balance between one’s work and family life depends largely on how well the family communicates and under- stands each other, as well as your ability to wear different hats. Throughout our life, we often find ourselves at a cross - roads, having to make difficult decisions or face unique challenges. At such times, your family support system can be a saviour and source of strength for us. While we may typically rely on the support of our spouse or elders in the house, we forget to enlist the help of our children, think- ing they may not understand. However, this is not true. My experience shows I’ve had more success each time I’ve involved my children in the decision-making process. They are more open and supportive than you anticipate. What will your suggestions for women taking a mid-ca- reer break and want to return to work? Dr. Uma Rajarathnam : While not everyone may have the personal support of their parents and family when it comes to managing the home, there are other ways to achieve a balance. For some women, taking a mid-ca- reer break or sabbatical may be a good option. My ad- vice would be to use this break to keep learning and building a strong network. This will be helpful once you’re ready to get back to the industry. Keep an eye on companies that are launching pro- grammes which bring women professionals back to the workforce. Traditionally, rejoining the workforce has been a challenge in India. Such initiatives can help women pro- fessionals overcome the barrier caused by a break in em- ployment and also boost their confidence. While some industries are more open to such programmes, others such as the energy sector need to catch up. A change in mindset is required, where career gaps are treated as development opportunities and not signs of women los- ing interest in their careers. Meanwhile, mentorship programmes and support groups are rapidly emerging. These can support women profes- sionals with a mix of professional and personal challeng- es, helping them return to work faster. To my mind, all of us, especially those in the renewable energy sector, have a responsibility to help and uplift one another. In my ex- perience, women who rejoin the workforce tend to work much harder and are willing to go the extra mile to suc- ceed. This is beneficial to the individual, company and industry as a whole. What is your outlook on the renewable energy sector amidst current Covid-19 scenario? Dr. Uma Rajarathnam : India has one of the most ambitious renewable energy goals in the world despite not having any stated commitment towards green energy. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has slowed this progress for now and many projects are stalled or delayed. The current situation has made us step back and take stock. We’ve realised the need to pay more attention to the environment and take affirmative action towards pro - tecting it. One way to do this is to continue increasing our dependence on renewable energy and bringing about positive change. As we hopefully emerge from the pandemic soon and the economy revives, I expect to see more projects be- ing launched in the renewable energy sector. The focus will be on generating energy in India and supplying it locally as well as globally. Smaller companies are likely to emerge that will make components which have previ- ously been imported. In addition, over the next few years there will be a larger focus on rural development which is expected to play a key role in the country’s economic growth. India will require strong professionals to power its renew- able energy ambitions over the next five years. With in - creased demand from various quarters on account of the AtmaNirbhar initiative, the sector will be a source of em- ployment and opportunity for many Indians, irrespective of their gender. I strongly believe that is a great opportu- nity for women professionals in particular to do their bit towards building a more prosperous India.