By Sourav Shekhar
New Delhi, March 7 (UNI) In an industry with mostly men, expertise gave her credibility, says Rachna Kango, Business Head – Telecom Power Solutions at Delta Electronics India Private Limited, as she reflects on her professional journey and the growing opportunities for women entrepreneurs in India.
Sharing her experience in the telecom sector which is largely male-dominated with UNI, Kango said that developing deep technical knowledge and consistently taking on challenging assignments helped her build a strong professional identity in a male-dominated industry.
She noted that mastering the technological aspects of telecom became her biggest strength and enabled her to earn credibility within the organisation.
“I focused on building strong technical knowledge in telecom and understanding the technology deeply. In an industry dominated by men, expertise gave me credibility,” she said.
Kango explained that she deliberately chose difficult projects that others were hesitant to take up, which helped her gain valuable experience and visibility within the organisation.
According to her, each challenging assignment contributed to her professional growth and helped her establish a leadership role.
At the same time, she stressed that leadership is not only about individual success but also about nurturing teams and building strong professional relationships.
Mentoring team members and fostering collaboration across departments were key elements of her leadership approach, she added.
Kango also observed that the business ecosystem in India has become significantly more supportive for entrepreneurs, including women.
She said initiatives such as Digital India have simplified the process of starting and running businesses by making registration and compliance procedures faster and more transparent.
‘Digital India’ is a flagship program launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The scheme focuses on enhancing digital infrastructure, ensuring electronic service delivery and improving digital literacy.
She added that government initiatives such as Stand-Up India, along with growing support networks for women entrepreneurs, are creating new opportunities for women to step into business leadership roles.
From the perspective of the telecom industry, Kango said emerging technologies such as 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT) and digital services are opening up new avenues for innovation and entrepreneurship.
These technological advancements allow entrepreneurs to compete based on ideas, creativity and innovation rather than traditional barriers.
“What excites me is how technology is transforming the telecom sector. With the rise of 5G, IoT and digital services, entrepreneurs can now compete on the strength of innovation and ideas,” she said.
However, Kango pointed out that certain challenges still persist for women entrepreneurs in India, even though the situation is gradually improving.Highlighting the challenges that are transforming, she said, "Funding disparities have gradually narrowed with growing recognition of the strong returns delivered by women-led businesses and the emergence of more funds supporting such ventures."
Secondly she said, is balancing professional responsibilities with personal and family commitments.
According to her, the dual burden continues to exist for many women, though the expansion of flexible work arrangements and remote working options is helping address the issue.
“The old ‘either-or’ mindset between career and family is slowly breaking down, and more solutions are emerging to support working women,” she said.
Kango also pointed to the challenge of limited access to influential business networks, which historically restricted opportunities for women.
However, she said the rise of women-led professional networks, mentorship programmes and a growing number of women in leadership positions are gradually transforming this scenario.
She emphasised that policy support and institutional backing can further accelerate the growth of women-led businesses in India.
Based on her corporate experience, Kango suggested several measures that could help create a more conducive environment for women entrepreneurs.
These include introducing special funding and investment support for women-led ventures in emerging sectors such as telecom and technology, not just in the form of loans but also equity investment accompanied by mentorship and strategic guidance.
She also recommended reserving a certain portion of government contracts for women-owned businesses so that they can gain market exposure and credibility. According to her, this would help women entrepreneurs scale their ventures and build stronger business networks.
Another key suggestion was ensuring faster approvals and licensing processes in regulated sectors such as telecom, where procedural delays can often become a major hurdle for new businesses.
Kango also stressed the importance of encouraging collaboration between large corporations and women-led startups. She said initiatives that connect established companies with emerging women entrepreneurs through mentorship and partnership programmes could significantly boost innovation and business growth.
She underlined the importance of showcasing successful women entrepreneurs to inspire others. Highlighting achievements and success stories, she said, can motivate more women to take the entrepreneurial path and contribute to the country’s economic growth.
“As a corporate leader, I believe mentoring and advocacy are essential to building a stronger ecosystem for women in business. Together, we can create an India where women lead not only in entrepreneurship but also in corporate leadership,” she added.
UNI SAS PRS