The Economic Times

Married at 15, widowed at 18 with a baby: She became India's first female engineer in 1943, defying all odds

Married at 15 and widowed at 18 with a young daughter, A Lalitha refused to let social expectations decide her future. With her fathers support, she resumed her education and chose engineering so she could become financially independent while raising her daughter. In 1940, she entered the all-male College of Engineering, Guindy, after authorities approved womens admission. She later became Indias first female engineer, breaking barriers in education and engineering.