THE CREATIVE GENIUS BEHIND YOUR FAVOURITE AUTOMOBILES

RAMKRIPA ANANTHAN HAS BREATHED NEW LIFE INTO THE DESIGNS OF THREE LEGENDARY PRODUCTS: THE MAHINDRA THAR, MAHINDRA XUV 700 & MAHINDRA SCORPIO. HER INNOVATIVE PROWESS IS NOW MAKING WAVES IN THE DESIGN REALM OF OLA, WHERE SHE'S SPEARHEADING A DESIGN REVOLUTION.

- SUJATHA VISHNURAJ

In the heart of automotive innovation, Kripa Ananthan is a testament to breaking barriers and driving change. As the Head of Design at Ola Electric, her journey is marked by resilience, creativity, and an unyielding commitment to her craft. From the corridors of Thermax to the forefront of Ola's electric revolution, Kripa's story unfolds as a beacon of inspiration.

Kripa's career has been a canvas painted with passion and determination. As a woman in the male-dominated realm of automotive manufacturing, she navigated early challenges not solely rooted in gender biases. Her first job at Thermax was a testament to her resilience as she conquered the challenge of being a newcomer. With unwavering resolve, she earned her place on the shop floor, a journey marked by diligence and learning. In her words, "I often feel embarrassed when someone highlights my accomplishments. However, I also perceive the connection between these accomplishments and my identity as a woman as somewhat oversimplified. I hope to be acknowledged for more than just my gender. In the early days of my career, I don't believe that my challenges were primarily due to my gender. I joined the workforce in 1992, which was 31 years ago. I can confidently state that being a woman has seldom presented a significant challenge throughout my career. My difficulties were mostly attributed to being a fresh graduate and not fluent in Marathi. Gaining credibility for my expertise and commanding authority on the shop floor proved challenging. To overcome this, I adopted a proactive approach of listening, learning, and dedicating myself to the job. I focused on excelling at my tasks and integrating myself into the team, which also entailed quickly acquiring proficiency in Marathi."