Closing The Gap

Shikha Gupta, Gm, Satellite And Cellular Communications System, Bel, Has Worked Her Way To The Top Of A Psu, And Successfully So.

- Jayashree Mendes

Could you tell us about your role at BEL?

BEL Ghaziabad has a strategic business unit (SBU), satellite and cellular communication system. I head the SBU. The SBU is responsible for supplying satellite and cellular (mobile) communication networks including installation, commissioning, and product support.

I joined BEL in 1985 as probationary engineer, which was the induction level of BEL. Over the years, I have worked in R&D, marketing and sales of satellite and cellular communications and then moved to core R&D for Network Centric Systems for five years. I was then posted as general manager (strategic planning) at the corporate office for two years. I then moved to Ghaziabad as business unit head of satellite and cellular communications group.

I am a B.Tech. in Electronics and Communication from University of Allahabad and I have worked across divisions and am familiar with the functioning of the company and its challenges. Over the years, I have learnt the art of accruing business for the company. One job role that I found challenging was, and not confined to women alone, was ways to bring in business in competitive scenario, execution of projects in tough military locations of J&K, Northeast, etc and collect revenue and earn profit.

Could you tell us about some of the challenges of the job?

There are few challenges now. After spending 33 years in the organisation, I have learnt to manage all kind of challenges with team work. As a woman, I face little discrimination and have learnt to handle work easily. Women has to prove their capability at work by showing extraordinary results while the capabilities of men is understood as proven or granted for the same job.

What are some of the on-the-job learnings you have had to learn?