“Where there is a will, there is a way. And sometimes, what you want is in front of your eyes”, shares Latha.
While pursuing her Management Studies, Latha Vasisht, Chairperson of Aadhya Airtek, always dreamt of becoming an entrepreneur but the roads were unknown. Beginning small as an AC service providers in 2006, Latha guided her husband to move from domestic to industrial projects and joined him after completing her management studies. During 2016, one of their acquaintances introduced them to HVLS Fans, which seemed very expensive for the Indian markets (Around 5-6 lakhs per Fan). By then she was a doctoral studies student and had to present national and international research papers. During a trip to Singapore to present her paper, Latha and her husband again came across these fans called HVLS at Singapore and wondered whether it was a coincidence or destiny and decided to give it a try. She and her husband identified a gap in air technology, sparking the idea for Aadhya Airtek. With his expertise she turned this vision into reality, breaking industry norms with intellect and persistence. As a firm believer of work-life integration, she also involved her daughters in business decisions and they contributed in the digital space.
Navigating the Challenges of a Male-Dominated Industry
Latha Vasisht’s career in manufacturing began during the pandemic. She completed her MBA, M.Phil. and then took up PhD (unfortunately discontinued during pandemic). Her interest in entrepreneurship started when she was pursuing her MBA studies- “So, when I was studying my MBA, in fact, I wanted to take up something called entrepreneurship. But I didn’t exactly know which way to go. And my husband was already in the service business. That is when I thought, why can’t I make this bigger? So, I told him, instead of going for domestic projects, why can’t we go for HVAC, that is industrial projects”.
Women in manufacturing often take a step back, either due to societal pressure or their own hesitation. Even when they do enter the industry, they are mostly seen in marketing or finance rather than on the shop floor or in core manufacturing roles. “That is my biggest challenge,” Latha shares, emphasizing the significant gender gap in the field. However, she has been actively working to change this narrative by encouraging young women to explore manufacturing, especially in research and development roles.
One of her key initiatives includes offering internship opportunities to female students, helping them gain hands-on experience and confidence. “Every year, we allocate a certain percentage of work specifically for interns,” she says, showing her commitment to nurturing talent in the field.
Breaking the Mindset Barrier
Latha firmly believes that societal conditioning plays a crucial role in shaping career choices. From a young age, girls are often nudged towards professions like fashion, beauty, or cooking rather than engineering or manufacturing. “Even today, if you ask a woman which business she wants to enter, the most common answers revolve around beauty, apparel, or food,” she points out. This ingrained mindset, coupled with stereotypes that STEM fields are not for women, has kept many away from pursuing careers in manufacturing.
To address this, she stresses the importance of change starting at home. “The first school is your house, and the first teacher is your mother,” Latha asserts. She urges parents to allow their daughters to explore and make mistakes, rather than imposing their dreams and fears upon them. “Let them blossom in whichever field they choose,” she says, advocating for an educational approach that makes science and mathematics more accessible and engaging for young girls.
The Road to Success: Patience and Perseverance
Latha’s journey in manufacturing was not without struggle. She had to start from scratch, learning about the industry, technology, and business dynamics. “I didn’t even know much about the fan at home, let alone industrial fans,” she admits. However, she took the time to build her expertise, proving that patience and continuous learning are key to success.
She compares the manufacturing journey to a test match in cricket “It’s like Virat Kohli or MS Dhoni, who take time there, you know, the first two overs to settle down. But once they’re settled down, you know, nobody can stop them, the opponent is gone”—while IT might offer quick rewards, manufacturing demands endurance. “You need to settle down, establish yourself, and then, the sky’s the limit,” she says. According to her, those who endure the initial hurdles in manufacturing ultimately find long-term stability and success. As International Motivational Speaker and Guinness Record Holder, Vivek Bindra puts it, she too believes that “dar ke aage jeet hai, lekin jeetne se pehle dar ko bhi face karna padhega, dard sehna padega, seekhna padega aur phir jeet hamari hogi”.
Women in Manufacturing: The Need for Action
Aligning with the 2025 International Women’s Day theme, #AccelerateAction, Latha emphasizes that the time for conversations is over—it’s time for act to change. While government initiatives like Make in India have helped boost manufacturing, she believes more needs to be done to shift the perception that imported products are superior. “We need to change our mindset and start valuing Make in India products,” she states.
Latha also highlights the need for equal empowerment of both men and women. “Empowerment is not just for women—everyone needs support, whether it’s Arjuna in the Mahabharata needing Lord Krishna’s support or Hanuman needing Jambavant’s encouragement during Samudra Langhan,” she explains. She believes that women must equip themselves with knowledge and technical expertise so that when tested, they can stand their ground confidently. “If you do your homework, and prove yourself worthy, the support you receive—even from men—is immense.”
Her belief in breaking stereotypes is deeply influenced by her mother-in-law, whom she considers her role model. “She was brave enough to challenge the norms within our family, taking up entrepreneurship in her own way—be it through catering, organizing return gifts for weddings, or managing small businesses. She always encouraged me to stand strong, pursue my education, and achieve something beyond traditional expectations,” Latha shares. It was her mother-in-law’s unwavering support that helped her navigate her own path in the male-dominated manufacturing industry.
A Message to Women: Be Yourself, Be Unstoppable
For young women aspiring to break into manufacturing, Latha’s message is clear—don’t live for others. “Be yourself and be full of yourself,”– where she breaks the phonetics of ‘beautiful’. According to her, Beautiful means, BE YOU (BEAU), stand tall like the letter T (Ti) and tell yourself that you are full (full) and complete the way you are. She encourages women to stop waiting for validation and to recognize their own worth. Her personal philosophy revolves around the 3 E’s: Explore, Experience, and Evolve.
As Latha continues to drive change and challenge stereotypes in the manufacturing sector, her story serves as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset and determination, no industry is off-limits for women. Through her relentless efforts, she proves that women can—and will—thrive in manufacturing.
