Women in Engineering: The Boldness to Dare - Kasturi and Hamsini, Two Mauritians Defying Stereotypes
In a world long dominated by men, some women are courageously carving their own paths. On the occasion of International Women's Day, we highlight Kasturi Laxmi Mohit and Hamsini Chelumbrun-Sornum, two Mauritian women passionate about engineering who defy stereotypes to establish themselves in demanding technical professions.
In control rooms, at the heart of technical infrastructures, or behind the complex systems that operate machines and networks, women are still few in number. Yet, some have confidently embraced these technical careers. Kasturi Laxmi Mohit and Hamsini Chelumbrun-Sornum are part of a new generation of Mauritian women who have dared to venture into fields once considered male domains.
Kasturi Laxmi Mohit: At the Heart of the Mauritian Metro Systems
At 30, Kasturi Laxmi Mohit holds a strategic position as a Systems Engineer at Metro Express Ltd. Behind the smooth rides and trains running daily on the light metro network in Mauritius lies a complex universe of technologies, computer systems, and control mechanisms. This is precisely where she operates.
Her role involves working on the control and monitoring systems that ensure the daily smooth operation of the network. These systems are invisible to passengers but essential for guaranteeing safe and reliable transport. "When people take the metro, they just see a train arriving on time and transporting them from one station to another. But behind that, there is a very complex technological infrastructure that must work perfectly," she explains.
From technical centers, she participates in the maintenance and improvement of these interconnected systems that allow the metro to function smoothly. However, her passion for technology and understanding of devices is not new. Early on, Kasturi developed a curiosity about how things work. This fascination with the logic of machines and systems naturally led her to engineering.
She decided to pursue a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering at the National Institute of Technology in India, thanks to an ICCR scholarship. However, studying abroad was not an easy choice. It meant leaving her family environment and adapting to a new country, a new culture, and a demanding academic system. Yet, she never doubted. "My parents have always been my greatest support. Their trust has given me the strength to pursue my studies and believe in my abilities,” she says.
Today, her journey perfectly illustrates the power of perseverance. For her, progress is not about quick breakthroughs or instant success. "Great achievements do not always come from sudden breakthroughs. They are often built through consistency, patience, and the discipline to keep moving forward, day after day," she emphasizes.
In a technical environment where women still remain a minority, Kasturi has also learned the value of resilience. "Challenges are part of the journey. But I see them as opportunities to learn and develop a growth mindset," she points out.
For this thirty-year-old, engineering is a field where learning never stops. She states, "One must always be ready to evolve, to learn new technologies, and to improve what we do."
Hamsini Chelumbrun-Sornum: Following Her Passion for Automobiles
Hamsini Chelumbrun-Sornum's journey also reflects a bold choice. At 27, she is one of the women who chose a still predominantly male field: automotive engineering. A choice that became clear to her after completing her secondary education.
Like many young people, she faced the question: what direction to take in her professional life? "After finishing my studies, I was looking for something new and in demand in the market," she shares. This is how she discovered the automotive field, a universe that immediately fascinated her.
She decided to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering in Automobile Engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology in Chennai, India. An ambitious choice, but one she fully embraced. Once again, family support played a crucial role. "My mother has always supported me in everything I wanted to undertake. She has always believed in me and my choices," Hamsini confides.
In a field where women are still few, she quickly understood the importance of developing strong determination. For her, problems are never obstacles; on the contrary, "Difficulties are challenges. Obstacles are not something negative. They are opportunities to surpass ourselves, to learn, and to progress," she states.
This philosophy accompanies her at every step of her journey. She believes that every technical problem is also an opportunity to find an innovative solution. In fact, this capacity for analysis and perseverance is precisely what makes engineers strong.
Daring to Step Off the Beaten Path
The journeys of Kasturi and Hamsini highlight a still prevalent reality: women remain underrepresented in engineering and technology jobs. According to several international studies, they are still a minority in scientific and technical fields, but mindsets are gradually changing.
More and more young girls are choosing careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), and examples like Kasturi and Hamsini play an important role. Their journeys show that it is possible to succeed in these fields, provided one believes in their abilities and does not succumb to stereotypes.
"You should not be afraid to choose a field that you are passionate about, even if it is traditionally male-dominated," Kasturi asserts. A sentiment shared by Hamsini: "What matters is passion and the willingness to learn. If you love what you do, obstacles become easier to overcome."
Through their journeys, these two Mauritian women represent a new generation of women who refuse to limit their ambitions. They embody a modern vision of engineering: a field where talents, ideas, and determination matter far more than gender. Their story also reminds us of the essential role of education and family support in the success of young women. For behind every courageous journey often lie parents, mentors, or teachers who supported these choices.
On the occasion of International Women's Day, their message resonates as an invitation to all young girls dreaming of a future in science or technology. Dare to choose your path, dare to learn, dare to believe in your abilities.
As Kasturi summarizes simply: "The most important thing is to keep moving forward and always seek to improve." And Hamsini adds: "Every obstacle can become an opportunity if we choose to see it as a challenge." Two different journeys, one shared conviction: the courage to dare can turn a dream into reality.