Hailing from a small village called Kamaluddinnagar in Muzaffarnagar, Uttar Pradesh, I grew up in a joint family of 25 people where class and tradition were very important. Being a country girl seemed to have limited opportunities and education was rarely a priority.
Despite this, I always had a burning desire to break stereotypes and build a better future for myself and the girls in my family. Although my parents supported me as best they could, I faced limitations such as attending schools nearby, no tuition fees, and inadequate infrastructure.
After completing my class 12 exams in a medium Hindi board school in Uttar Pradesh, I secured the highest marks in the area and made my family proud. My family started to see my future in engineering, but it wasn’t an easy decision to send me to study. Thanks to their tremendous support, my uncle and aunt moved to Delhi with me and I was able to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from a private university. This action was costly for them and the financial burden was obvious, but it fueled my determination to succeed.
In 2013, I decided to take the Graduate Aptitude Test for Engineering (GATE) exam, thinking it was the key to higher education in India’s top institutions. With the help of my friends and coaching materials, I successfully cleared GATE and secured admission to Punjab Engineering College (PEC) for pursuing Masters in Engineering. This experience opened up my world, broadened my perspective on problem solving, and fueled my passion for research. It was at PEC that I realized that research was my calling.
Life at IIT: A new beginning at IIT Madras
After completing my master’s degree, I had the opportunity to work on a DRDO project at IIT Madras in 2017, which gave me exposure to cutting-edge research. I met several scientists and explored various DRDO laboratories, which helped me refine my approach to research.
Life in Chennai was not without its challenges. After coming from the cool climate of Uttar Pradesh, adjusting to the extreme humidity and heat was tough. At first I was overwhelmed by the cultural differences, including the language barrier, but over time I came to embrace the diversity of the IIT Madras community, which includes a campus vibrant with students, faculty, and opportunities, and felt a sense of belonging. I was able to get it.
I got married in January 2018 and my husband, who was also pursuing his master’s degree from IIT Madras, joined me on this journey. Alongside his studies, he has just started a startup in the energy storage field.
In 2022, I officially joined IIT Madras as a PhD student under the guidance of Professor Tiju Thomas of Metallurgy and Materials Engineering and Professor Satyanarayanan Chakravarthy of Aerospace Engineering. My research focuses on solid propellant rocket fuels, a challenging but exciting field.
Balancing academic and personal life can be both rewarding and difficult. After starting my doctoral program, I realized that passing the comprehensive written exam and the Viva exam was critical to staying in the program. I was pregnant at the time, so my goal was to finish my classes as soon as possible. I completed everything and cleared the comprehensive exam with a CGPA of 9.23 in six months. Just two days later, in February 2023, our daughter was born.
During my maternity leave, my workaholic nature developed and I felt the need to stay active. I joined various clubs, became head of the Hindi Mitra Mandal, executive of the Research Affairs Council, and organized workshops and events. I also received training in entrepreneurship, participated as a cyber volunteer in the G20 program in Gurugram, and was even honored by the Home Minister. I confidently took my newborn to all of these activities and was motivated to continue pushing the boundaries.
It wasn’t easy juggling work as a mother while pursuing a PhD in rocket science. But my determination to set an example for other women facing similar challenges to hers kept me going.
In 2024, I ran for the position of Research Secretary (RAS), a decision that raised many eyebrows. Could a mother of a young child lead one of the most important student organizations on campus?
With the unwavering support of my husband, parents, and siblings, I campaigned with a determination to break the stigma against working mothers. The election victory is a testament to my determination and I am currently overseeing several major initiatives at IIT Madras, including the Employment and Internship Cell, the Skill Development Cell and the Outbound Training (OBT) programme. Words cannot express the sense of responsibility and fulfillment I get from contributing to the growth and happiness of the Institute.
Future plans: shaping lives beyond the lab
Looking to the future, I have two dreams. It’s about excelling in rocket science research and contributing to the community. After completing your PhD, you would like to contribute to the field of aerospace, perhaps as an academic or researcher. I also have entrepreneurial ambitions and want to use my knowledge to create jobs and opportunities for young people.
Additionally, I am passionate about addressing the educational challenges that still exist in the village. I plan to start a career consulting company focused on empowering rural girls and helping them break the cycles of restriction that I once faced. Thanks to the support of my mentors, family, and IIT Madras community, I feel empowered to take on the challenges ahead.
In everything I do, I value the lessons I’ve learned from my travels: dedication, perseverance, and the belief that education can change lives.
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