NEW DELHI: Sukla Mistry 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 Sunderbans 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,” company chairman S M Vaidya tweeted.
Agraduate in metallurgical engineering from Bengal College of Engineering, 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.
