NEW DELHI: Sukla Mystery on Monday became the first woman director on the IndianOil board, taking charge of refining operations of India’s largest oil refiner and fuel retailer.
Born into a family of humble economic means in the Sunderban region of West Bengal, Mistry’s ascent marks a big boost for gender diversity in India’s energy sector and indicates rising opportunities for women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
“A red-letter day for IndianOil… Ms Sukla is a trendsetter and has broken multiple glass ceilings through her dynamic leadership and focus on excellence,” tweeted company chairman SM Vaidya.
A graduate in metallurgical engineering from Bengal College of Engineering, University of Calcutta, Sukla sacrificed her post-graduate studies even after being selected by IIT-Kharagpur and joined IndianOil in 1987 to support her family and siblings’ education.
She rose through the ranks at IndianOil, handling varied greenfield and brownfield responsibilities at various refineries during her 35-year career. She headed Digboi refinery in Assam, the oldest in the country and was in charge of the Barauni unit in Bihar before being elevated as director (refineries).
In 2001, she was the first and only woman engineer from India to be selected for onsite assignment as an inspection engineer for the ENOC refinery in Dubai.
She is credited with maximizing wax extraction at Digboi refinery and rolling out BS-VI fuels as well as ethanol-blended petrol ahead of the deadline.
Born into a family of humble economic means in the Sunderban region of West Bengal, Mistry’s ascent marks a big boost for gender diversity in India’s energy sector and indicates rising opportunities for women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
“A red-letter day for IndianOil… Ms Sukla is a trendsetter and has broken multiple glass ceilings through her dynamic leadership and focus on excellence,” tweeted company chairman SM Vaidya.
A graduate in metallurgical engineering from Bengal College of Engineering, University of Calcutta, Sukla sacrificed her post-graduate studies even after being selected by IIT-Kharagpur and joined IndianOil in 1987 to support her family and siblings’ education.
She rose through the ranks at IndianOil, handling varied greenfield and brownfield responsibilities at various refineries during her 35-year career. She headed Digboi refinery in Assam, the oldest in the country and was in charge of the Barauni unit in Bihar before being elevated as director (refineries).
In 2001, she was the first and only woman engineer from India to be selected for onsite assignment as an inspection engineer for the ENOC refinery in Dubai.
She is credited with maximizing wax extraction at Digboi refinery and rolling out BS-VI fuels as well as ethanol-blended petrol ahead of the deadline.
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