Satellite Women - Anuradha T K

When  we decided to do March edition as 'Mahila Din Visheshank', there was no better person than Satellite women - Anuradha T K from ISRO. 
Though space field is male dominated field in India, Anuradha is one of the few space ladies. ISRO created new world record and created history on 15 February 2017 by successfully launching a record 104 satellites in a single flight.

Anuradha TK,(Geosat Programme Director at ISRO) first saw Neil Armstrong walking on the moon, she was fascinated and intrigued and this is when she decided to become a space scientist. Now, as the senior-most women officer at ISRO, Anuradha has become an inspiration for all the women working there, and others who want to pursue this as a career. 

She is the author of various papers in refereed journals & delivered distinguished lectures. She is the recipient of numerous awards, some of them include “Space Gold Medal award – 2003” by Astronautical Society of India for the services in the field of Space sciences, “Suman Sharma Award – 2011” by National Design and Research Forum (NDRF) of IEI and “ASI- ISRO Merit Award 2012” for realization of indigenous Communication spacecraft and “ISRO Team Award 2012” as the team leader for the realization of GSAT-12.

1. Choosing engineering as career was not very common in the decade on 80's. Did you have to struggle to choose engineering?

The choice was totally based on my aptitude for Physics and Mathematics.  I had no struggle in this choice as I was brought up in an environment where I could take my own decisions for life.

2. How did you decide to join ISRO?

I was always awestruck about space technology. So ISRO was a natural choice for my career though I had job offers from almost all the public sector units at that time.

3. Which is your most challenging assignment at ISRO?

Changes from comfort zones are always a challenge. I always welcome challenges. These are always popping up in my career. I am happy nothing has remained as a challenge forever.

4. Which can you define as the happiest or most satisfying moment in the long career at ISRO?

Each problem overcome is a gratifying moment. Seeing the satellites you toiled to realize, working in their orbit as required always gives a great sense of satisfaction. Realizing GSAT-12 as the first time Project Director taught me a lot and I was happy that I could do justice for the confidence laid in me to carry out that responsibility.

5. As a woman did you have to face any different challenges in the career?

I must have been blessed that I did not have to see “any different” challenges in the career because I am a woman.

6. How did it feel to receive prestigious awards like Space Gold Medal award, Suman Sharma Award and ISRO Merit Award? 

Each award I have received has made me feel more humbled. It is always a team work in ISRO. Hence they are dedicated to the teams in which I had an opportunity to perform. Also, I consider these awards as iconic encouragement to young women in career.

7. How do you achieve work life balance with such a highly responsible position?

Anything is possible if you have a passion. I have a passion for my work same as for my family.  There are many women in ISRO and also in other places who are excelling at career and also have great families. The key is to have pride in what you do, then everything else falls in place.

8. What would be your message to the young girls who want to walk on a different path like yours?

Well, in all honesty, I do not think I am on a different path. I am on “the path”  I wanted to be on. Young girls today are very confident and have good support system. They should know that it is up to them to choose what they want. They have to enable themselves to achieve their goals. It is a competitive world. The best way to win it is to prepare well and fall in love with participation genuinely.

9. Please tell us more about creating history of successfully launching 104 Satellites in a Single Flight(PSLV-C37 )?

For ISRO, it is a success of having established several technologies and capabilities to take them further. We are satisfied with the results. The feel good factor and any motivation it would bring in among the people of this country is a positive spin-off. 

Mitramandal Bengaluru Katta would like to thank you so much madam for taking time out for this interview and we all wish you success in future projects.

Mitramandal Bengaluru Katta would like to thank Smita Gokhale for coordinating and making this interview happen.