Nagpur: Breaking stereotypes in a profession traditionally dominated by men, Dipali Khobragade, a lineman working with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) in Nagpur, will be honoured at the national level during the ‘Lineman Day’ celebration in New Delhi on March 4.
The special ceremony is being jointly organised by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and Tata Power Delhi Distribution Limited (Tata Power-DDL) to recognise the dedication and service of linemen across the country. Dipali is the only woman among the four employees selected from Maharashtra, making the recognition a moment of pride for both Nagpur and Mahavitaran.
Dipali Khobragade’s 12-year journey in Mahavitaran is considered highly inspiring. She began her career working for seven years in rural areas, where she handled challenging field conditions and power distribution issues. For the past five years, she has been serving as a Senior Technician at the Old Shukrawari Distribution Centre under the Mahal Division in Nagpur city.
Her responsibilities include repairing technical faults in the electricity distribution system, ensuring uninterrupted power supply to consumers, and assisting in electricity bill recovery. Officials say she has carried out these duties with efficiency and dedication.
Beyond technical work, Dipali is known for her strong emphasis on safety practices in the field. She stresses the importance of using personal protective equipment (PPE) while performing hazardous electrical work.
“Working without safety equipment is like inviting death. Ensuring the safety of myself and my colleagues by using PPE kits is my first responsibility,” she said.
Dipali also believes that the biggest motivation in her job is restoring electricity to homes and bringing relief and happiness to consumers affected by power outages.
She has also expressed strong support for modern initiatives by Mahavitaran such as smart meter installations and solar energy projects, which aim to modernise the power distribution system.
Her achievement is expected to inspire many young women to pursue careers in technical and electrical fields, traditionally seen as male-dominated sectors. The national honour on Lineman Day highlights the growing role of women in India’s power distribution workforce and celebrates their contribution to essential public services.
