From Dreams To Reality
A big push to women into exercise and encourages them to move forward in this competitive world. Dr. Chitrakala Mohan, an electrical engineer working at Freudenberg training Centre in Nagapattinam, India, is a prime example. Betting all the odds at the age of 39, she obtained a doctorate with not giving attitude she had, she inspires other young women (students) to aspire to a world of equality. On August 1, she took over as principal of the Training Center.
With this progressive India, where equality is the prime establishment of modernization, still, women are looked up for seeing after household chores and raising children, this mindset led to less participation from women till now. The journey of Dr. Chitrakala Mahon was also an arduous one. But she refused to sleep on her dreams and is now an engineer at the Freudenberg Training Centre, who recently took over the management of the Training Center.
Born in a middle-class family, being the eldest, her parents precisely understood the role of education, which would play in her livelihood. With nothing but good for their daughter, invested in a good school to give their child the best. “Even then, I was thrilled by technology,” says the 39-year-old. So in 1999, she began studying electronics and electrical engineering at Madras University. After graduation, she started her professional career as a lecturer at an engineering school. “I wanted to give something back to my parents and help them finance the education of my two younger siblings,” Chitrakala continues. “From 2008 onwards, I could then devote additional time to my postgraduate studies in power electronics and drives.”
In the Middle of her research in 2018, she joined the Freudenberg Training Centre in Nagapattinam. As a result, the young Indian woman taught natural sciences and electronics part-time, freeing up more space for her scientific research. Freudenberg originally established the Training Centre in 2004 following a devastating tsunami. Every year, roughly 120 young people receive theoretical and practical training at the Centre for one to two years, along the lines of the vocational training system in Germany. By the time they come to leave, the young apprentices have acquired the right skills to build their own lives as electricians, mechanics, welders, or metal workers.
Over the years, the training program has enjoyed considerable success and is today certified by the National Council for Vocational Training, known throughout India for its stringent standards. The Centre’s objective is to accommodate young people with apprenticeships and help them qualify for a technical profession that will grow them by the side of the country.
“I love getting young people passionate about technology,” Chitrakala explains. Increasingly, she says, there are more and more girls in the classes. “I’m incredibly proud to work for a company which is committed to equal opportunities.” Esther Loidl, Freudenberg Management Board Member and Chief Human Resource Officer agree with the Indian national: “A major strength at Freudenberg is diversity in action around the world. To the degree that we support women to develop their professional potential, we also benefit as a company.” Georg Graf, Freudenberg Group Regional Representative for India also congratulates Chitrakala on her success: “The Freudenberg Training Centre in Nagapattinam is a live example of our Freudenberg values. Under the lead of Dr. Chitrakala Mohan FTC will shape many more life stories of our students while providing vocational training and life skills for a better future.”
With her dedication and resilience, Chitrakal has proved that she is a real-life inspiration for female students in engineering. With support from her family, she managed to overcome every obstacle that came in her way. With covid were we find any excuse for our daily work, Chitrakal didn’t sit back, and instead, she got her doctorate and described how to be a true devotee.
For more details: www.freudenberg.com
