An Interview With Vibhusha Saragadam
- Vanshika Dhyani
- Aug 7, 2020
- 4 min read
Vibhusha is compassionate and independent. She has been a scientist at the Indian Space Research Organization, for the last seven years
“My life’s journey has been the biggest lesson during all my endeavors. The education we pursue, the relations we make, decisions we go after, are the ones that decide what we are today. Always be conscious and choose wisely. Never take the wrong steps or compromise your happiness. I never hesitated to speak up or fight for what I’ve believed in. Personally and professionally. That’s what has given me the confidence to move forward. Never lose self-worth and speak up for your life. Because somewhere inside, you know it’s worth it. Good luck to all the confident and smart STEM women fraternity! Everything you’re doing is worth it. Big and small.
What inspires you?
The concept of ‘Life’ inspires me. The idea of the interconnected working of this Universe fascinates me. Experiencing the dimension of life at the cosmic and atomic level while living in the normal everyday physical world is somewhat I’m always psyched and intrigued about.
What did you want to be when you were younger?
Documentary filmmaker/Journalist
Which subjects did you enjoy at school?
Social studies, Art and Dance
What would you like to tell your younger self?
There will be a lot of expectations from you when you grow up. It’s not going to be easy! If you want to be empowered and strong in society, you should start building the strength to live two lives simultaneously. Like a man and a woman.
Why did you choose STEM?
My brother is an IITian (IIT Bombay). In a way, he inspired me to take up Electronics and STEM studies. As a 90s kid, most of us didn’t have other options except to follow the crowd. But I’m contented with my decision as I have one of the coolest and exciting jobs in India!
How important is it for you to stand out?
Being a woman is definitely a challenge in most societies. Even though we are all out, independent, and crossed our barriers, there are crores of women in all countries, who still are waiting for a better life and opportunity. Or maybe even basic human rights. For such women, even finishing primary school is life’s biggest dream. Even though family support is required, education is the most important thing which gave me energy and confidence to take my life forward. The challenge for women of first-generation like me is struggling to learn to live in this world, independently. I do not want to stand out as somebody with a tag. I want to be standing out along with all the other women whose lives are still only lived in their dreams. Being empowered is something money cannot buy. And for a woman, it’s even more important. Therefore, I want all women to feel as empowered and safe as possible, as it’s the most priceless experience I had! Education and opportunity are the only way out to have that experience. I will be happy if my life is useful for empowering/supporting women in some way or the other.
What difficulties did you face in the industry, as a woman?
As a female engineer/scientist in ISRO, I’ve particularly never felt like the odd man out in meetings/discussions/promotions, etc. Work culture is very good and supportive. As there are very very few women scientists in ISRO, we accepted the fact of our minority and never let the difference come into our work execution. I have particularly never felt any difficulties. When we try to be cautious and conscious about the things around us, we tend to be safer in personal and professional life. That’s one of the skills I think all working women master eventually! Also, I feel, compared to the struggles a woman face in just industry or workplace, the struggle of coming out from comfort zones, striving to be independent and successful, living alone in cities far from families for work/study, balancing family with work, and trying to stand out in the highly dominated men world is I feel more challenging. I think it is on women to think not as equals, but as important as men in their own unique way. For the women who are facing workplace male dominance, I would like to say only one thing. We should never try to believe that if we work like men, talk like men and behave like men, we will be equal to men. We should understand that we are completely different and have our own uniqueness w.r.t. intelligence, compassion, and kindness. We are the embodiment of creation. Let us keep the power and uniqueness with us and move along with men and not try to fight for the same rights men have. Because I feel some rights cannot be defined with the same context for a woman and a man.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female scientists?
Firstly, be your own scientist. Always have self-worth. Nobody is going to help with that. We are the only ones to give our lives what it's worth. A small hiccup in career, personal life should not define your career. Never compromise career for anything. Invest most of your time in education and self-worth and see wonders happening in life. Choosing STEM is one big step and sustaining it is also equally challenging. Choose the area which you are completely passionate about. Don’t compromise because of reasons which are external to you. The space industry is also seeing many inductions recently. It’s challenging and also one of the most respected and sought after jobs in the world. I’ll be excited when more women enter space tech and maybe we will have an all-female astronaut crew one day from India. I’ll wait patiently for that day
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