Motherhood and manufacturing can go hand in hand. Prajakta Date has been in the manufacturing industry since 2013 and is balancing her career and her children with her family’s support. A patent holder, she began her journey in workplaces lacking even basic facilities like washrooms and had to put extra effort into making male colleagues comfortable around her. She believes women must be mentally and physically prepared to thrive in this industry.
Prajakta Date is a Process Planner in Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India. She completed her schooling and pursued mechanical engineering in Nashik, which was affiliated with Pune University. She shares that there were only four to five people in her batch during her studies, and she was the only one in their practical classes.
After her graduation in 2013, she got a placement at Mahindra and Mahindra, Igatpuri plant as a Graduate Apprentice Trainee (GAT) in the Process Planning Department. There, she had an opportunity to gain experience working with various machines and even built a Mahindra engine, Prajakta shares proudly. Then after a year, she moved to Mahindra’s Zareehabad plant as part of a greenfield project, where she was working on the Jeeto Engine.
Working in Zareehabad came with its challenges, where there was the language barrier, and adjusting to life culture and lifestyle was difficult for a while. However, this experience was fruitful for her, she agreed. Then again, after two years, she returned to Igatpuri through an internal job posting, where she shifted to the Plant Engineering Department. Here she handled digital projects, plant budgeting, and manpower planning, which expanded her skill set beyond process planning. She shares, “I had spent nine and a half years at Mahindra, which was the foundation of my career”.
In 2021, after becoming a mother, she shared how her priorities began shifting, and how she sought better work-life balance. This led to her transition to Mercedes-Benz in Pune as a Senior Technical Engineer, focusing on assembly process planning. She realised that this role gave her international exposure, like travel to Germany.
Now, as a mother of two, she often finds herself balancing her career and family life daily. Though it is a challenge, with the support of her family and husband, she was able to achieve it. During her college times, she often felt the need for more female friends in mechanical engineering, however, she understood that “I knew I had chosen this field and I had to accept it and move forward. I was very clear about my goal, that is to complete my degree and built my career”.
Being one of the few women never really bothered Prajakta. While support was there to some extent, the mindset at that time was not fully developed to completely accept a woman in the manufacturing space. However, she also believes that if one is clear in one’s thought process, these things do not hold back.
Collective Decision for Gender Equality
Prajakta recalls that when she first joined Mahindra, the company was actively looking to have more women working on the shop floor, recognising the positive difference women bring to the organisation and its culture. Still, there were some challenges initially, including a lack of facilities like a washroom and other basic needs. However, she agrees that things got better over time.
She agrees that women must make an effort to help their male counterparts become comfortable working with them. She explains, “It’s a two-way process. It’s not just about expecting others to create a welcoming environment; you also need to take steps to integrate yourself into the team.
“I believe that in the initial stage of your career, you have to put in extra effort to prove yourself. Once you do that, things start to fall into place”, believes Prajakta. She adds that the people around her were supportive because they both worked towards making it a comfortable and collaborative environment, which made the journey easier for her.
Coming from a family with a manufacturing industry background, especially in automobiles, starting from her grandfather, it was not a surprise for them when Prajakta chose manufacturing. Her father has also worked in the same industry, so he understood the challenges and was there as a support for his daughter. However, her mother was not entirely sure about the exact nature of her work. “But they were comfortable with my decision because they knew the industry well”, shares Prajakta, being a little emotional.
“Their support has been excellent, and it’s one of the main reasons I am where I am today. Even now, I rely on my mother’s help for everything, especially in taking care of my kids, so that I can continue going to work”, she further adds.
Achievements & Awards: Inspirations to Lead
In 2019, while working at Mahindra, Prajakta was elected the ‘Lady engineer of the Year’. She was proud of and excited about this achievement. Another milestone in her career is having a patent in her name, which she filed with the help of Mercedea while working there.
She says, “Apart from these, I have also received some project awards, though they don’t stand out as much as these two accomplishments”.
For Prajakta, one experience that she cherishes the most in her career was her send-off from Mahindra. She shares, “I still remember how the line workers came up to me and said in Marathi, ‘Madam, tumhi company sathi khup kela’ (Madam, you did a lot for the company). Those words meant everything to me”. When Prajakta feels lost or questions her path choice, these words act as a motivation.
Balancing Work & Shop floor Management
According to Prajakta, a woman’s mindset matters the most when entering manufacturing. She explains, “It’s not an industry where you can just sit in front of a laptop all day; you have to be mentally and physically prepared to work on the shop floor.”
In addition, the mindset of male colleagues also plays a role here. She explains by giving a scenario: “If a woman is doing something she should be allowed to do, supported, and worked with as an equal, this change in mentality takes time.” Achieving true equality in manufacturing is a long journey, and we still have a long way to go.
Workplace facilities will eventually improve because organizations are now making it a priority to increase female participation. But she agrees that progress will be slow without the first two changes, the right mindset from women, and support from male colleagues.
Balancing work and personal life can be tough, especially when managing children and a career. Prioritisation is key, Prajakta admits. If one has decided to continue their career, they must seek help from those around them. Prajakta gives an example: “In my case, I hired a caretaker and took support from my in-laws and my mother to ensure my kids were taken care of while I focused on my work”. She suggests that women never hesitate to ask for help; it’s a team effort, not just an individual challenge. “My husband has been incredibly supportive, and I truly believe this is a team game”, she further continues.
For Prajakta, one of her biggest inspirations has been one of her seniors at Mahindra. Her senior joined the industry almost 10 years before Prajakta, when it was even more male-dominated. Prajakta shares her senior’s experience with a feeling of admiration for her. “She faced greater challenges but led with strength, working directly on the manufacturing line, handling teams, and managing her personal life despite hardships. She continues to be my role model, even though we no longer work in the same industry”.
According to Prajakta, the shift from core engineering to IT is frustrating. She says, “I have never understood why people study mechanical engineering and then switch to IT. If you chose mechanical, what was your thought process behind it? Was it just because a seat was available? That shouldn’t be the case. If you are mentally prepared for a career in mechanical engineering, then there is no reason not to pursue it”. In her view, getting on the shop floor, getting the hands dirty, and gaining real experience is the only way to learn.
She believes that the initial career phase, before personal responsibilities like family and kids come into the picture, is the best time to invest fully in learning and growing in the industry.
The industry is evolving, and times have changed. Women now work night shifts in manufacturing, with transportation facilities provided for their safety. For her, women’s participation is more about their mindset.
There are difficult days sometimes, she says. “Sometimes, when my caretaker is unavailable and I have an important office meeting while managing my kids, it feels overwhelming. In those moments, I do feel like it’s impossible. But then, I remind myself to take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, stay calm, ask for help, and move forward”. That’s the way of living and moving forward, Prajakta shares.
Prajakta’s message to young girls is simple: “Step into this world and experience something different. It’s not just about books and laptops, and it’s a new and exciting industry. And it’s safe. So, don’t hesitate, come and explore, learn, and grow in this field.”
