“My mother gave me the freedom to grow—passion knows no gender. If I have it, nothing can stop me”, quotes Protika. Growing up in a small town in West Bengal, Protika saw her family expecting a son to take over the business, but she asked—why not a woman? Driven by this question and a deep passion for manufacturing, she chose a path few dared to take. Over 12 years, she battled stereotypes and societal expectations to earn leadership roles in global companies. In an industry where women engineers often turn to IT, Protika proved that passion, not gender, defines success.
The Initial Hurdles
Protika Das embarked on her journey in 2012 after earning a B.Tech in Electrical Engineering and an M.Tech in Industrial & Manufacturing from VIT, laying a strong foundation for her career in manufacturing and leadership. Despite coming from a family with conventional mindsets about gender roles, she was driven by an unshakable passion for challenging norms. Encouraged by her mother’s support she started her career in manufacturing—an industry with male dominance.
Her first major opportunity came through a pool canvassing initiative by Cummins India Limited, which was specifically focused on recruiting women. She started as a Young Manager Development Program (YMDP) fresher and started her career in the plant and shop floor, where she was responsible for quality control in genset manufacturing assembly lines. Here Protika worked for almost four years. She says for her first job – “I’m very much aware of how much we need to come out of our comfort zones and how much we stepped out on this challenging manufacturing plant situation and culture.”.
After transitioning to Cummins India Limited’s Power Generation Business, handling connecting rods and machining quality, Protika moved to John Deere India in 2017 as a Supplier Quality Engineer. In 2019, she led New Product Development Quality before taking on a special project in industrial and manufacturing engineering in the USA. She later shifted to John Deere’s Smart Industry and Smart Manufacturing department, gaining expertise in digitalization, smart factories, IoT, and MES systems.
In 2022 she joined back Cummins India Limited as Senior Quality Specialist – Cummins Emission System, and this time she says “it was a more challenging role” In that role she dealt with multiple digitalization in manufacturing- like “We need to develop automated process to improve efficiency & productivity”, she focused on integrating digitalization, data analytics, and machine-dependent processes to enhance manufacturing efficiency. Currently, she is the Product Quality Council Leader for Cummins Components Business.
These transitions show the determination to diversify her experience and rise through the ranks. She took on the challenge head-on, working shoulder-to-shoulder with operators and proving that skill and determination to break the stereotypes.
Challenges of Being a Woman in a Male-Dominated Industry
Protika’s journey was not devoid of challenges. From the outset, she had to break through the conventional mindset that manufacturing was unsuitable for women. Starting in 2012 in a plant role, she witnessed the common gender disparity in manufacturing, with women comprising merely 15-20% of the workforce on the shop floor.
She shares how she faced gender biases when her parents initially expected a male child to take over the family business. However, she understands that such mindsets were common in the 1980s. It was during this time that her passion for manufacturing took root.
“That’s when my passion truly began. I never saw manufacturing, machine shops, or the industry as something ‘not meant for women.’ For me, it was simple—if I had the passion, nothing could stop me. From that moment on, my passion only grew stronger. I believed that if I was truly passionate, I could achieve anything. That’s why I chose this path. I wanted to work on the shop floor, operate machines, and be part of the manufacturing world. This passion was so strong that I never even considered a career in IT.”
Protika’s journey in the manufacturing industry exemplifies the challenges many women face in such environments. She encountered traditional mindsets that doubted women’s capabilities in handling physically demanding tasks and operating complex machinery. Colleagues often expressed scepticism, suggesting she couldn’t handle tools or lift heavy objects. Undeterred, Protika immersed herself in the production line, working alongside operators to debunk these myths.
She found immense support in her mentors, who encouraged her to focus on resilience, consistency, and passion. Seeing women in leadership roles within Cummins India Limited, inspired her to aim higher, reinforcing the belief that women can excel in manufacturing just as men do.
A Defining Achievement: Championing People Development
Protika was honored with the “Emerging Women Leader” award at John Deere in recognition of her exemplary leadership and outstanding contributions. She recently achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing a rigorous two-year program on AI and Data Analytics in Emerging Technologies, earning special recognition for her excellence in the final examination.
Additionally, Protika was awarded the Cummins Excellence Award for Industry Impact for her remarkable contributions to the Cummins Emission Systems Business, further solidifying her influence in the industry.
At John Deere, she led a year-long initiative focused on team engagement and people development, driving multiple team-building and motivational activities across the entire manufacturing unit. Her efforts in fostering collaboration and employee growth were highly appreciated, earning recognition from the India Director. Her contributions highlight her commitment to both technological advancement and a people-centric work culture in manufacturing.
Fostering Women’s Growth in Manufacturing
With workplace biases women also face societal conditioning that nudges them toward IT or computer-related careers. Protika says– “I have a clear vision, set short-term goals, and strategically switch roles with defined deliverables, ensuring alignment with my personal life while making impactful and well-balanced decisions”. Protika emphasizes the need to challenge these stereotypes by sharing success stories and raising awareness among young female engineers. Companies are increasingly recognizing the value of diversity, and initiatives such as all-women-led production lines in Cummins exemplify the shift toward inclusivity. And also how post pandemic has increased the opportunities for women in the manufacturing industry.
She shares, “At one point, I considered transitioning from manufacturing to IT. When I took on a role in digitalization, I was exploring areas like MES and data-related technologies. However, I soon realized that manufacturing still had immense opportunities, especially after COVID-19, when the demand surged. The automobile sector, in particular, is booming. That’s when I decided to stay. While I initially thought of switching for career growth, I knew IT wasn’t my true passion. So, I returned to a plant-based manufacturing role—and now, I continue to receive exciting opportunities in this field.”
Philosophy and Leadership Approach
Protika firmly believes that women naturally possess emotional intelligence, which is crucial in managing teams effectively. Unlike the mechanical nature of manufacturing, she integrates empathy and leadership to foster a supportive work environment. Her philosophy is simple: “We work with machines, but we don’t have to become machines.“
Work-Life Balance: The Unseen Challenge
For women in manufacturing, work-life balance is often difficult. Long hours, limited networking opportunities, and societal expectations make it difficult to juggle personal and professional responsibilities. Protika stresses the importance of building a strong support system, both at home and at work, to navigate these challenges effectively.
A Message for Young Women: Dream, Dedicate, and Deliver
To all the young women aspiring to build a career in manufacturing—this industry is yours to conquer. Dream beyond limitations, envision yourself on the shop floor, leading innovations, and driving change. Dedicate yourself to learning, growing, and proving that skill and passion know no gender. And most importantly, deliver—turn your ambitions into action, lead with confidence, and make a lasting impact.
Manufacturing is evolving, and women are playing a crucial role in shaping its future. Opportunities are expanding, and industries are actively supporting diversity and inclusion. If you have the passion, nothing can stop you.
Believe in yourself, break barriers, and build the future of manufacturing—one bold step at a time
Protika Das finds inspiration in the leadership of Shvetha Arya, Managing Director at Cummins; Avanthi Rao, Country Leader – Cummins Components & Software India; and Kavita Kaushik, Cummins Quality Leader. Their guidance and influence continue to shape her journey, motivating her to strive for excellence.
To young women stepping into any profession, Protika offers a simple yet powerful message: “Thrive for perfection but remember imperfections are the motivators of your upcoming success. Dream and pursue your dreams – nothing can stop you if you have faith and belief in yourself.”
Protika is not just a leader; she is a force of change in manufacturing. As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2025 under the theme #AccelerateAction, her journey serves as an example to resilience, passion, and the power of breaking barriers. Her story is a call to action for organizations, industries, and society at large to create a more inclusive and equitable future for women in manufacturing.
Embracing the Theme of International Women’s Day 2025: #AccelerateAction
Throughout her career, she has actively worked on initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, enhancing digital transformation in manufacturing, and paving the way for more women to enter the industry
“To truly accelerate action, we need to ensure that women don’t just enter manufacturing but also thrive in it. This means providing mentorship, fostering inclusive workplaces, and continuously challenging outdated biases,” she asserts.
On this International Women’s Day, as we celebrate women like Protika, let’s pledge to #AccelerateAction, fostering a future where gender is no longer a barrier but a stepping stone to success in manufacturing and beyond.
