- Battling poverty and challenges, Shanthalakshmi PN is now stewarding a visionary workforce at Elmeasure
- Shanthalakshmi has dealt with many a wild thorn in her career with the active support of management, mentors and family
- To Shanthalakshmi, integrity, dedication and passion have earned her professional eminence and laurels
As a young college graduate in Electronic Diploma Engineer JSSPW from Mysore, Shanthalakshmi PN had started attending seminars and trainings to sharpen industry skills while simultaneously doing vocations. At 19, she started her career as a Quality Control Analyst in an organization. Eventually, Shanthalakshmi would work in many companies, making her way to superiority and gaining experience to work with people across various organisational levels.
Shanthalakshmi’s success skyrocketed to its zenith after joining Elmeasure, as an in-charge of customer support team– a challenging role that required to delight customers by assessing their requirements. Over the years, Santhalakshmi has thrived in the organisation with the help of her mentors and superiors. Today, at Bengaluru based Indian multinational Elmeasure India Private Limited, Santhalakshmi is responsible to manage the manufacturing team along with cross-functional team to fulfil the business-level strategic objectives, as its Head of Manufacturing.
Shanthalakshmi PN proudly looks back at her enriching experience in manufacturing where each day women are slowly hustling to acquire a competitive space with male peers. Sternly refuting biased claims like women have much less to achieve in manufacturing, she adds, “I am proud to have such a wonderful experience as each day is adding value to my knowledge bank by fore fronting several challenges and complex issues by working with great team. I have been driving the team to always be the best. I am keen on making the team feel proud about their work and accomplishments in a competitive atmosphere that we strive to create with new industry concepts.”
The Challenge in Being a Non Conformist
Shanthalakshmi dismantles erroneous claims like women cannot tend to their family while working in manufacturing units. She refuses to believe that failing to excel at work-life balance is unique to women alone. Narrating about male acquaintances and high-flyers in manufacturing who had failed in running a successful family, Shanthalakshmi tells appreciates women industrialists who have mastered the art of work-life balance.
Shanthalakshmi reasons that failures and success are not gendered. Being an industry expert for ages, Shanthalakshmi vouches that beginners should be given the right opportunities and resources to prove their merit. Shanthalakshmi is an ardent believer of human potential that carries within them.
Speaking on possible social and cultural hindrances towards achieving gender inclusivity in India, Shanthalakshmi explains the importance of looking back in history for brave women warriors who are testimonials of courage, education and advanced training. Contemplating on the 21st century’s technological advancement, she tells that women should strive harder to accomplish goals irrespective of what profession she wants to be a part of.
In no way Shanthalakshmi’s stride has been easy. Initially, she was responsible for supervising six people in a team. Yet, “each day was an added experience with ample possibilities to gain knowledge. Now, I feel proud to be leading the manufacturing team with 120+ employees primarily dominated by male colleagues and superiors.” Her journey has been replete with challenges, too, which she would have never overcome without fervent support from the organisation and her family.
Shanthalakshmi’s Climb to Success
Struggling from an early age in poor economy, during her growing up years, Shanthalakshmi has grown up with two siblings in a family bereft of the means to afford higher standard of education.To help her parents, Shanthalakshmi would give tuition classes for neighbourhood kids. Her elder brother had to stop his education and start earning to assure that his siblings are continuing with education. After her brother early demise, Santhalakshmi joined the workforce.
Santhalakshmi’s upbringing in a family with educational values, moral principles and fierce determination to battle with odds fuelled her motivation to become an independent woman. The early adversities have shaped Santhalakshmi’s grit and consciousness. Santhalakshmi is grateful to her family for becoming the best human being.
“This has given me strength at every level of life. My mother helped to continue my career by taking care of my children, when I was ambiguous to choose between motherhood and professional life, a very tough choice for a woman.” Breaking gender stereotypes and working with confidence had been a challenge for Shanthalakshmi. Looking back, she introspects about her honesty, integrity, dedication and passion which factored in realising her capabilities. Today, as an industry expert, Shanthalakshmi expresses immense gratitude to her superiors for their trust in her.
“The challenges faced at Elmeasure are unique as it helps in each Individual growth in terms of knowledge and skill development by learning and applying new concepts. I am highly thankful to Ms Bindu, our Managing Director who believes in women empowerment, Mr Babu TK, CEO who is our Mentor vested with great strength and Mr Sam P Cherian, our Chairman a leader who would always push us to attain the company’s vision. I am here with success and achievements because of their relentless support.”
Tiding through the gush of challenges, today Santhalakshmi feels blessed to be a part of Elmeasure India Pvt Ltd for the past 11 years where women are highly revered. “Never stop aiming if you are keen about the manufacturing sector. Working in manufacturing should be a matter of pride for women. Lead the way to help India bask in her pride and glory with many women achievers in this sector,” pleads Shanthalakshmi to India’s girl children.
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