Babburi Shirisha breaks glass ceiling: First woman lineman at Telangana discom

HYDERABAD: Wednesday saw history being scripted as, for the the first time, a woman joined the Telangana State Southern Power Distribution Co-mpany Limited (TSSPDCL) a lineman. Twenty-two-year old Babburi Shirisha who had previously cleared her written and pole test was appointed in the Medchal circle of TSSPDCL. This, of course, came after a long legal battle.
Energy minister G Jagadish Reddy handed over the appointment letter to Shirisha on Wednesday morning.
"In the earlier notifications for junior linemen jobs, it used to be mentioned that only men are eligible. Now we removed that condition and thrown it open to women as well," said TSSPDCL chairman and managing director, G Raghuma Reddy.
Speaking after receiving her appointment letter, Shirisha said: "I am very happy that my dream has finally been realised. I cannot wait to get to work." She had cleared an eight-metre pole test in 2020 to qualify for this position. The 22-year-old is still, however, hopeful that this gender-specific nomenclature will be changed in the future. "I am sure as more women join; we will be called linewomen - I am now waiting for that day. Even the minister has assured me about that happening," she added
Trained by her uncle at her home in Siddipet's Chebarthi hamlet, the first woman lineman of TSSPDCL said she is eager to start her journey in the city. "I am also going to shift my mother here. She no longer needs to work; she can retire now," the young woman said, adding that it is time to give back to her mother who toiled as a coolie to help her get a good education.
But the journey to this destination has not been easy either for Shirisha or V Bharathi - both had applied and cleared the pole test - as they had to go through a long-drawn legal battle. Around six months ago, Bharathi was absorbed by Transco as the results were released early. "Since I have already joined there and it is in Warangal, which is my home, I did not want to move to SPDCL," said Bharathi.