Women’s empowerment dominated Day 2 of ELECRAMA 2023, the world’s largest electrical show organized by the Indian Electrical & Electronic Manufacturers’ Association (IEEMA), which got off to a spectacular start at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida on February 19.
This year’s Women in Power featured a series of engrossing and inspiring conversations from the leading ladies of the power sector across various domains including the likes of Ms. Lakshmi Singh, Police Commissioner, Gautam Budh Nagar, Ms. Charu Mathur, Director General, IEEMA, Aarya Satyanarayan Director of Venson Electric Private Limited and Chairperson Women in Power Committee of IEEMA, Renuka Gera Director (Industrial Systems and Products) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL and several other dignitaries.
Ms. Lakshmi Singh, Commissioner of Police, Gautam Budh Nagar, said, “In the modern world, gender inequality is recognized as a major constraint to economic growth.” Thus, we’re witnessing accelerated efforts to promote women’s participation in leadership roles. When it comes to the power sector, the participation of women—especially in realizing the goals of a sustainable economy—remains pivotal. Since India is rapidly establishing itself as the new hub for sustainability, harnessing the power of women across roles in the energy sector is integral to realizing the country’s vision. “Having participated in such a thought-provoking session at ELECRAMA 2023, I hope our ‘Women in Power’ pavilion promotes gender equality, which, in turn, can boost innovation in the energy industry.”
Mr. Rohit Pathak, President of IEEMA, said, “The power and energy sectors remain the major contributors to the economic growth and development of our country.” With India being the world’s third-largest producer of electricity, the participation of women in the power sector needs to increase. As the energy sector moves towards innovative clean energy solutions to pave the way for a sustainable future, the industry can leverage the untapped talent pool of the highly-skilled women workforce by increasing employment opportunities for them. Our Women in Power initiative was conceived to fulfill that and more. This year’s edition will continue to bring forth the voices of global women leaders pertaining to their industrial experiences and journeys, inspiring others and increasing participation in the sector.”
Ms. Charu Mathur, Director General, IEEMA, said, “The last edition of ELECRAMA saw the introduction of the “Women in Power” pavilion, which was the much-needed stepping stone for the formation of the “Women in Power” chapter in IEEMA. We’re now well-equipped and more structured to connect career-oriented women in Power and Energy with like-minded individuals to discuss and overcome challenges in the ever-changing work culture. This year’s edition of Women in Power will continue to deliver on its promise of bringing women leaders under one roof and giving them a platform to discuss workplace challenges for a better future. “With this special initiative, we’re looking to inspire more women to choose the electrical and electronics industry as an attractive career choice in India.”
Aarya Satyanarayan Director of Venson Electric Private Limited and Chairperson, IEEMA WIP, said, “Today, gender equality remains an unfinished business in every country in the world, which is why companies should be more focused on employing more women, starting with hiring more female students so that the talent stays in the industry. Along with this, I think creating a healthy and safe environment is also an important aspect of any company, which will help maintain a work-life balance for women and foster an inclusive work culture. I am happy to see that ELECRAMA 2023 is focusing on such significant issues that India is facing today regarding women’s empowerment, and I hope we all get to see the change soon.
Renuka Gera Director (Industrial Systems and Products) Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), said,’ I believe in today’s world, strength and power are not identified by gender. That’s why there is a greater emphasis being laid on gender equality with the promotion of women in leadership roles becoming the need of the hour. Recent studies also suggest that the Indian economy will grow by 25% with an increase in the participation of women. Additionally, 43% of women are contributing globally to the development. These are valid indicators of the influence highly-skilled women can have on contributing towards a sustainable economy.
ELECRAMA 2023, with ‘Reimagine Energy—For a Sustainable Future’ as this year’s theme, will have the largest public showcase yet of industry innovations by over 1000 exhibitors from India and abroad, occupying 1,10,000 sq m of exhibition space over the course of the next five days. The much-anticipated event is expected to witness 3,50,000 footfalls and over 15,000 pre-scheduled meetings between buyers and sellers. The mega event will also see national and international industry experts and policymakers deliberate upon industry challenges, innovations, and business models through a series of leadership summits and meetings.
Apart from “Women in Power,” the five-day congregation will also enthrall delegates with multiple concurrent events. It will also host the world’s largest confluence of power transmission and distribution communities at the 5th Reverse Buyers Sellers Meet (RBSM) and Domestic Buyers Sellers Meet (DBSM). The mega-event will also focus on building stronger electrical systems for homes, offices, and industries, and discussing the way forward for the complete electrification of railways. Digital technologies, IoT and AI-powered electrical systems, and other smart-tech solutions are being showcased at the event.