SARIC Rising Tide

58 With her husband working in another city, Amrita stays at home with her parents in Bhubaneshwar; they look after her son while she heads to work. And again, this is a different thread, a different weave in her story—that of a supportive family. Odisha often wrestles with the idea of STEM. The issue is both cultural and organisational. “It’s a two-way street, and we can only resolve it if we approach it the same way. Women are encouraged to stay home to raise their families, irrespective of the degrees they have earned. And they do often just drop out of the workforce. It’s hard to escape that mindset. On the other hand, offices sendmainly men into the field, instead of opening training and supporting opportunities for women. Training can and must make the difference, and provide increasing visibility. What we need is a shift in thinking on both sides.” She says this even after staring down her own pressures while on the job. The situation is history today, but it did change her thinking about work and gender issues. Nominated to attend the capstone week, Amrita’s first thought was a panicked: I can’t do everything in the field, plus work in the office, plus work at home! amrita sarangi SAR100 is a wonderful program and one where I have made many connections, ones that will set me up for success in the future. We look to each other for support as we grow. It’s also given me the courage to try again for my Masters in Science. For that, I am grateful. 59 Amrita with peers at the SAR100 program family as tapestry