'Marriage Is Not The End Of A Woman's Career'

Aditi Bhosale Walunj was not deterred by her lack of experience in the oil industry or a business degree. She wanted to do something larger than life. The 30-year-old is now co-founder of Repos Energy, spearheading the company’s business strategy as its Chief Visionary Officer. “I started my journey with a dream to create a more sustainable and accessible energy solution for the Indian masses,” recalls Walunj.

“Despite facing numerous challenges along the way, my dream and determination have kept me going. Being recognised and mentored by industry giants such as Ratan Tata has been a significant highlight of my journey. His guidance and mentorship have been invaluable in shaping my leadership skills and business acumen,” she says.

Asked why there were such few women leaders in technical fields, she says, “From an early age, girls are given dolls to play with, while boys are given cars, and this mindset conditioning continues through to adulthood. Moreover, the automotive industry has traditionally been viewed as a male-dominated field, and there are limited opportunities for women to break through the barriers and reach leadership positions. It is a reality that women often have to work twice as hard to get the same recognition and opportunities as their male counterparts.”

Walunj recalls that when she began her journey as an entrepreneur in the energy industry, she did encounter scepticism and resistance from some, who had doubts about her ability to succeed in a male-dominated industry. “However, I was fortunate to have a supportive husband, Chetan, who played an important role in pushing me to take some critical decisions and overcome these challenges. I have come to realise that marriage is not the end of a woman's career,” says Walunj. “Instead, it should be viewed as the beginning of a new chapter in life that can provide women with additional support and motivation to pursue their dreams,” she tells us in parting.