Jooi Bhatt, Welding Engineer, Inox India Pvt Ltd.
What made you choose welding as a career, which is a highly male dominated segment?
My interest was slowly built in welding during the days when I was pursuing bachelors. I never considered welding as a male dominant field, it’s all about interest & preference. Women have time and again excelled in every field. Welding is not an exception. There are many Women who have established their selves well in this field which inspires me to become an expert in this field.
Could you brief us on your journey so far as Welding Engineer?
The journey has just started. It’s a long way to go. From the day I joined INOXCVA, I got to learn various things such as knowledge of codes and standards, practical exposure to various welding processes, important aspects of welding etc, and I wish to continue that.
Could you quickly take us to your qualification background?
I completed my graduation in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in 2016 & Masters in Welding Technology from the same institute.
How much of total experience do you hold?
I completed my 1 year dissertation work at INOXCVA. After completion of my Masters, I joined INOXCVA and currently working there since 6 months.
Any welding processes you specialize into?
I believe welding is a vast field and being a specialized in one particular welding process is not just enough. As a welding engineer, we should be conversant with all processes. However, I am working with GTAW and PAW more since beginning. Hence, I have little bit more exposure to GTAW and PAW compared to other welding processes.
Could you please share your experience of some of the mega project you worked upon?
During my working at INOXCVA, I had a very good experience in understanding special welding process required for manufacturing of thermo vacuum chamber for space department. This thermo vacuum chamber was 6.8 m Dia made out of austenitic stainless steel having around 250 opening. GTAW welding with control heat input was a major task. Chamber was fabricated at INOXCVA without a single helium leak, which was appreciated by ISRO top officials. The vacuum chamber will be used for payload testing at SAC, Ahmedabad.
Your current project.
I am currently working on projects for various applications including nuclear & space.
When on site, what are the key points you follow for any project? Any suggestions.
I believe, through understanding of customer specification, knowledge of codes and standards, good engineering practices and compliance of welding documents go hand in hand. Synchronization of all these will lead to good weld quality. On field, I need to be focused keeping all these things in mind. At site, effective man-management and working against the adverse environmental conditions are keys to welding success.
What is your say on health and safety in welding? How do you consider the same when on job?
Health and Safety during welding is the key for safe working. At INOXCVA, we provide necessary PPEs to all welders and monitor the health of welders on regular basis. For critical welding jobs, hazards are identified and analysis is carried out on regular basis.
What kind of challenges do you come across and how do you manage to cope up with the same?
As we know, it takes a lot to be a Welding Engineer. On field every day we face new challenges. Coping up with the environment, trouble shooting, finding the root cause of some technical issue are challenges for me. However, I am developing myself to deal with these challenges.
Have you anytime faced gender discrimination, as the stream is male dominated?
Before joining INOXCVA, I have experienced gender discrimination, as most of the companies prefer male employees over female ones. On the other hand, it is good that companies like INOXCVA exists who breaks this stigma. I am thankful to them for giving me this opportunity.
What are your future plans?
I have keen interest in material and welding and will like to work on exotic materials such as aluminium and titanium for defence and space requirements.
Closing message, especially to the female.
There is nothing that a woman cannot do!
