Team News Riveting
Rourkela, March 4
Women across industries are breaking barriers, stepping into roles once considered beyond their reach, and proving their mettle in high-risk zones.
From construction sites to factory floors, they are challenging stereotypes and excelling in fields that demand immense physical and mental strength. The steel industry, long dominated by men, is no exception. Here too, women are playing a crucial role in production, operations, and innovation.
Amidst the heat, the heavy plates, and the hum of machinery, three incredible women— Ms. Mamata Patra, OCT, Ms. Rojni Kindo, OCT, and Ms. Pritilata Karar, Operator all of New Plate Mill of SAIL, Rourkela Steel Plant working in the Cold Plate Leveler Pulpit are proving that steel isn’t just made in furnaces; it’s also made in spirit.
Mamata and Rojni have been here since the very beginning, right from the commissioning of the Pulpit, where wavy plates are levelled to perfection. Pritilata joined later, in 2019, but she’s no stranger to breaking barriers—before stepping into this role, she was the first woman crane operator at the Plate Mill.
For these women, every day is a challenge, but they face it with pride. “It’s not easy, managing both home and work,” Mamata shares. “There were days when I’d finish my shift and rush home to take care of my baby, barely catching my breath. But I love what I do.”
The toughest days came during COVID-19 when only one person was allowed inside the control room at a time. “I was alone, handling everything—sometimes up to 60 plates a day,” says Rojni. “It was exhausting, but we didn’t let the work stop.”
Their job goes beyond levelling plates. They also handle inspections, reports, manual painting and punching, grinding inspections, and even operating the plate turnover device. It’s tough, meticulous work, but they take it in stride.
“I feel proud when I see these massive plates taking shape under my hands,” says Pritilata. “People are surprised when they hear that women are running such a critical part of the mill. But why not? We’ve proved we can do it just as well.”
Their journey hasn’t been without hurdles, but they stand strong, shoulder to shoulder with their male colleagues, shaping steel and shattering stereotypes along the way.
Their story isn’t just about machinery and production. It’s about grit, passion, and the fire within. It’s about showing the world that women can thrive anywhere—even in the heart of a steel plant, where strength is measured not just in metal, but in determination.
