It was after retiring from his professional life in 2010, Ramesh Wagh embarked on a mission to tackle one of the world’s most pressing challenges – waste management. He founded Earth Care Equipments based in Pune, designed and innovated an automated composting machine, and today the operations of the company are taken over by his daughter, Mrunal Patil. As the company’s director, Mrunal is a strong advocate for gender-neutral workplaces in the manufacturing sector, earning her accolades from her colleague, customers and associates for her unwavering commitment towards the business and society.
Growing up in a business family, she was blessed to have parents who believed in treating their children equally, regardless of their gender. In fact, she was lucky enough to be her father’s favourite, being his darling daughter since childhood. Mrunal’s mother also played a pivotal role in shaping her perspective on gender equality. She was strict about treating both her children equally and ensuring that they received the same opportunities.
At a young age, Mrunal learned that there should be no distinction between a boy and a girl. However, despite her positive upbringing at home, Mrunal did face some discriminatory approaches from relatives who questioned the equality provided to her in the family. But her father’s staunch belief in both the children meant that he immediately shut down any such negativity.
Mrunal is a true sports spirit, having represented Pune District in General Athletics. During her practice sessions, she chose to practice with boys, as she found them to be practising harder than the girls. Mrunal never let her gender get in the way of her passion for sports, and she competed with boys without any hesitation. She firmly believed that men and women are blessed with equal opportunities, and it’s up to an individual to work hard and achieve their goals.
She finished her Computer Engineering at Savitribai Phule Pune University in the year 1998 and finished her master’s in the year 2000. During Engineering, Mrunal noticed that in Mechanical Engineering there were very a smaller number of girls, unlike Computer Engineering where they had an equal number of boys and girls. But her passion towards business and manufacturing made her ask her father about the possibility of joining the family business, the answer was No. Her father wanted her to explore the world of Information Technology, as IT was a booming industry in the early 2000s.
Joining the Sustainability Revolution
She started her career in IT in India, worked hard with improving her communications, and climbed the ladder of success. She was handling European, and US customers during her initial time, and she had many challenges which she was able to overcome with sheer hard work. She moved to the US and worked in Fortune 100 IT companies globally. She worked in the US for more than 5 years; travelled the world and had everything she could have ever wished for. But when her mother-in-law was diagnosed with cancer, Mrunal did not hesitate to leave her high-flying career behind and return to India. It was a decision that would change her life forever.
Her father had just started a new business, and with only three people to establish it, Mrunal joined him to help in any way she could. It was a stark contrast from her structured IT career in Boston, but Mrunal was determined to make the most of the situation. They began their company operations in the basement of their bungalow, facing challenges such as getting electricity and internet connections. Mrunal was used to having everything at her fingertips in the US, and this was a stark change for her. She felt frustrated and disabled and even asked for a Plan B, but never lost faith in the vision her father saw towards building a cleaner and greener planet.
However, despite the difficulties, Mrunal persevered. She worked tirelessly to overcome the obstacles that came her way. Her transition from the heights of success to the depths of starting a new business was not easy, but she put in the hard work to make it happen. Today, the business is thriving, and Mrunal Patil is proud of what she has accomplished. She has truly shown her mettle, rising from the toughest of situations and emerging victorious.
Path of Success & Mastering the art of Unlearning
Entrepreneurship is never an easy road to tread upon. It is often accompanied by numerous challenges and obstacles, which require perseverance and determination to overcome. Mrunal, a budding entrepreneur, experienced such difficulties in her entrepreneurial journey. However, her biggest challenge was not just learning but “unlearning” a few things. Mrunal had been working in the IT sector in the US for several years, where she had grown accustomed to communicating solely in English. When she returned to India and embarked on her entrepreneurial journey, she faced difficulties communicating with locals who spoke in their regional language. She had to restructure her mind and unlearn many things that she had acquired from the software industry’s way of working, and instead, adapt to a more manufacturing-oriented approach.
However, after overcoming these struggles, Mrunal saw a ray of hope when her Fully Automatic Composter Machine became the talk of the town at CONSTRO, an exhibition for real estate developers in Pune. Builders from all over Maharashtra were attracted to her machine, and they began sending their teams to have a look at Eart Care’s machines. The timing was perfect, with the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign in full swing, and Mrunal was motivated to contribute to the movement.
Amazed by the potential of the industry, Mrunal engaged with her customers and became at the forefront of the company, while her father and cousin’s brother worked hard at the backend. This is how she ventured into manufacturing and made a significant contribution to promoting sustainable development. The road to success in entrepreneurship is not an easy one, but Mrunal’s experience indicates the fact that determination and perseverance can overcome all obstacles.
Cerebral Equity: The Key to Embracing Women in Manufacturing
In the world of manufacturing, women have often been underrepresented and overlooked. However, there are trailblazers who are breaking the glass ceiling and making waves in this industry. One such woman is Mrunal, who has shown that women are equally capable of thriving in any field. Mrunal firmly believes in the concept of cerebral equity, where no gender is less or more capable of doing any work. She has encouraged and welcomed women to join her company and has provided them with equal opportunities, facilities, and support. She believes in providing equal opportunities to her employees based on their capabilities rather than their gender.
She has always made it a priority to provide her female employees with the best possible facilities, including safety measures and flexible work arrangements, to ensure a comfortable and inclusive work environment. Her firm belief in cerebral equity is further exemplified by her decision to allow one of her female employees to work from home even after the end of her maternity leave. The decision was solely based on the employee’s merit and capability, rather than her gender.
Mrunal’s dedication to promoting women in manufacturing has not been without its challenges. She has encountered resistance from male employees who refuse to accept a female boss. She has encountered situations where her male employees refused to follow her instructions solely because she was a woman. However, she has never let these challenges deter her, and she has remained steadfast in her efforts to change the gender narratives in manufacturing. Mrunal believes that a shift in mindset is crucial to creating a more inclusive work environment. She understands the importance of revoking the male ego and promoting a culture that welcomes women in the manufacturing sector. She has actively worked towards changing the mentality of her male employees and creating a more inclusive and diverse work environment.
Skill Development & Courageous Decision-Making is Key for Gender Inclusiveness
Mrunal emphasizes the importance of skill development and urged women to work hard on improving their professional skills. According to her, updating and reworking your skills is the key to staying relevant in the race. Mrunal also stressed the need for women to make courageous decisions and strive to become a superwoman rather than ordinary women. In her opinion, every woman can achieve greatness, and it’s important to recognize and embrace that fact.
The journey towards achieving success as a woman in the manufacturing sector may not be easy, but with determination, hard work, and a positive mindset, it is possible. Mrunal’s success story is proof that women can excel in any field they choose, and with the right mindset and skills, they can become a force to be reckoned with. So, to all the aspiring women out there who dream of making a mark in the manufacturing sector, remember Mrunal’s words of wisdom: skill development, courage, and determination are the keys to unlocking your full potential. Be brave, work hard, and never give up on your dreams. You too can become a superwoman!
