Women all across the globe are rising to the top in various fields. However, there are a few professions that might still face gender bias. One of them being the electricity workers who climb up electric poles to fix snapped wires. Somehow a few individuals might assume it’s a job meant for men. However, a woman in Maharashtra is shattering glass ceilings by being an exception in this male-dominated profession.
Usha Jagdale, who works in Beed, Maharashtra, effectively resolves the complaints of electricity consumers, by easily climbing poles to fix broken wires, reports Mumbai Mirror. Usha, who works as a line woman at Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited, had the skills of an athlete since her childhood days. She won 11 gold medals and was also the captain of Maharashtra’s state-level Kho-Kho team, reports Times Now. However, even though she couldn’t make a career in sports, she managed to get a technician’s job at MSEDCL through sports quota.
Have a look at the undated video shared by All India Radio News:
Ever heard of a woman climbing electric poles, fixing snapped wire? Usha Jagdale working in #Maharashtra's Beed is exception in male dominated profession.
By addressing grievances of consumers effectively she ensured uninterrupted power supply during #lockdown
Report: Shashi pic.twitter.com/D2ix4jWO7T
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) August 10, 2020
While many people were impressed by Usha’s skills, they were concerned about her safety too. Several individuals raised their voice about the lack of safety gear:
While her courage and skills are worth appreciation it's a matter of concern that she is not using safety gears.
Electricity is a serious business. Every year hundreds of lives are lost due to violation of safety norms. Pl don't promote a wrong example from an official handle. https://t.co/SndfL8fmNG
— Arun Bothra (@arunbothra) August 11, 2020
Shri Maan Ji, I respect her and his dedication towards her work. But we should not promote this sort of monkey🐒 activities.Mis-happening can occur any time by slip her hands or feet. Other line men should avoid to copy this sort of stunt. Use ladder to fix this sort of issues.
— Tarvinder Singh (@tarvinder7) August 10, 2020
That's actually a sad sight. Hats off to her strength to climb a pole. But it's highly irresponsible on part of electricity department to have let her do so without any safety gear.
— seemaverma (@vseema) August 11, 2020
I think its not matter of courage but a ……………..
When it can be done easily with proper safety measure then why there is need to take such life risking excercise ?— CA Nitin Agrawal (@CANitinAgrawal4) August 11, 2020
The efforts of the woman to ensure uninterrupted power supply are commendable but this also highlights how backward & callous the Govt. electricity board is. Its 2020 and our people have to climb electric poles like this risking life & limb to do electrical repairs☹️
— Chengappa (@leadbyaxn) August 11, 2020
The standards of safety management have been violated here.
Climbing an electric pole without wearing a safety helmet, gloves & wearing a safety belt can be fatal to any technician's life.
Do not spread it in such a way that anyone keeps doing such mistakes.@MinOfPower— जय_हिंद! (@Jay_Hind_Bharat) August 10, 2020
Don't know whether to clap or to cry.
Salute to the indomitable spirit of women of India. At the same time not very happy to see she is there without any safety gear or a ladder.
Please don't propagate these pics. They put us in a poor state in international arena.— PARTHA ROY (@PARTHAR83068987) August 11, 2020
Appreciated her commitment,but she must use the safety gears as per the industrial norms. Actually she has breached those norms while delivering her commitment for the works.
— Vilas Dholam (@VilasDholam1) August 11, 2020
Brave, but without safety gears her life in danger. She is climbing pole with bare feet and hands. Immediate attention is required.
— TRILOCHAN (@TRILOCHAN4) August 10, 2020
This is no achievement. Instead of giving necessary tools for the ground workers you are glorifying the act. This is dangerous whether they are men or women. Shameful.
— Naresh Ku Sharma (@NNaresh034) August 11, 2020
Initially, Usha was assigned an office job but she chose to work in the field. Well, kudos to her for breaking such gender stereotypes. However, safety is very important too. Don’t you think so? Tell us!