Meet Manisha Biswas, 25-Year-Old Techie Who Empowered 200 Women With Tech Skills In Kolkata

Jayesh ShindeUpdated: Aug 01, 2019, 14:06 IST
manisha biswas, intel, ai, machine learning, student developer, women empowerment

Technology has been the domain of men, and it's unfortunate that women haven't had enough opportunities to prove their mettle in this arena -- they're still under-represented in the 21st century, despite efforts to establish some sort of parity.

It is against this overwhelming reality that stories of women like Manisha Biswas feel like the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel. If anything, a sign that slowly but surely the needle is moving in the right direction.

manisha biswas, intel, ai, machine learning, student developer, women empowerment

Hailing from Kolkata, Biswas is a 25-year-old software developer with a difference. She knows web development, built IoT solutions, and done some interesting work in the field of Artificial Intelligence application. She's been recognized by NASSCOM, Intel and Google, among others, for her software development work, while also having authored three books. Quite a r¨¦sum¨¦.

Apart from her noteworthy coding and programming chops, something that continues to reward her with accolades and opportunities from big tech companies, Manisha Biswas looks at her technology exploration journey as one focused on empowerment.

"I founded the 'Women in Technology Community' in Kolkata in May 2017 to empower women to learn and explore new technologies," Manisha says, as she recounts her journey. This was challenging initially as it was difficult to get women to participate in her technology workshops.

"I still remember the second meetup where we had five speakers and only two attendees," says Manisha. "It was difficult to get a free venue to host the meetup, organize everything alone, starting from creating a Facebook meetup to getting enough people to come."

But Manisha persevered, refusing to give up. Slowly, through word of mouth, her community grew. From the paltry two, she quickly surpassed the 200 women attendees mark. And after an initial solo push, Manisha realized that her Women In Technology Community morphed into an extended support network, becoming as much about helping others achieve their goals as you pursue your own.

manisha biswas, intel, google, ai, machine learning, student developer, women empowerment

Manisha Biswas with Women In Technology community members

"There were a lot of women facing the same problem to identify a platform to learn, explore and share their experiences," Manisha remembers. "We collaborated and the senior professionals in the community became instructors, training other members. Some women members, who took a break from their work after having a family, loved to be a part of the meetups, even as speakers sharing their inspirational stories."

Humble beginnings...

Manisha wasn't a tech-obsessed kid growing up in Kolkata. There were no dreams of becoming a tech tinkerer, no revelations of technological grandeur. She realized she's good at programming and has a talent for it only during her undergraduate days, not too long ago.

"My involvement with technology started with developing my first project in C++ in university, where I developed an augmented reality Android app for an online hackathon during my undergraduate course which got me the first prize," Manisha remembers fondly. She feels this was one of the major motivations for her to learn and explore more about technology, possibly even as a career option. "This app also marked my journey to eventually become an Intel Software Innovator when I was in the final year of my B-Tech degree," she says.

manisha biswas, intel, google, ai, machine learning, student developer, women empowerment

Manisha in her classroom workshop

Manisha Biswas agrees that she wouldn't have been a software engineer for a product company, and now a data scientist, if it weren't for brands like Intel who supported her growth beyond just academia. "I got early access to Intel technologies, including IoT boards, and opportunities to speak at different conferences, organisations and colleges through the Intel Student Ambassador Program for AI," says Manisha.

From what we know, the Intel Student Ambassador Program for AI gives select graduate and PhD-level students exclusive access to resources in the fields of data science, machine learning, and deep learning to assist their academic research in the space of artificial intelligence. Selected ambassadors like Manisha have to meet a strict standard of excellence for continued support -- like publishing one AI project, two technical articles within a year, and speaking at tech events.

This is how she also came to realize her broader mission and started her 'Women In Technology Community' in Kolkata. She knew she had much to offer in up-skilling or re-skilling women that could open new career avenues for them.

Success stories

With over 200 women community members, Manisha Biswas' personal mission to train women with technology is gathering pace. She even has some interesting women empowerment stories to share, her source of immense pride and satisfaction thus far.

Rimjhim Bhadani is a final year student at Institute of Engineering and Management, Kolkata, and associated with Manisha's tech community since early 2018. "I met Rimjhim for the first time at her college's hackathon, where I was a mentor and judge," Manisha recollects. Rimjhim was the only girl competing with eight groups with minimum four members each, but she didn't get any members to participate.

"And today, Rimjhim is one of three Indian students selected by Anita Borg Institute as Grace Hopper Student Scholar For 2019 and is invited to attend Grace Hopper Celebration '19, the largest technical conference for women in tech to take place in Orlando, Florida in the month of October," says Manisha.

A web developer in Kolkata, Sumitra Bagchi has five years of experience in PhP development. But after her marriage, and due to family responsibilities, she took a break from work. "There are lot of women who tend to take break from their work after getting married," according to Manisha. "This is also one of the reasons women start taking up roles which are less demanding and there are very few women who reach senior levels in an organization."

manisha biswas, intel, google, ai, machine learning, student developer, women empowerment

Women's Day celebration

But Sumitra was lucky to have her family's support and decided to start working again as an independent developer. "She's also starting taking part in a lot of online hackathons, and was one of the speakers for the first event which I hosted for Women in Technology in 2017," Manisha remembers fondly. "Sumitra is a self-motivated member of the community and a great mentor to a lot of girls."

Riya Guhathakurta works as a DevOps Engineer with Johnson Controls India Engineering Center. Her journey with Manisha's community started in the year of 2017, when she was an undergraduate student struggling between coding and classroom lectures.

"It was difficult for Riya to figure out how to explore this tech world other than classroom syllabus and how she could stand out among the crowd," Manisha says. But Riya has come along from being just an attendee of the Woman In Technology group in 2017, where she now volunteers and taking up speaking assignments at tech-focused meetups and conferences.

Future plans

The 'Women in Technology' community in Kolkata started with Manisha's realization that women are underrepresented in the tech workforce and most of the tech conferences. "There are very few female speakers compared to male speakers."

She also identified a larger problem through her own experience, that women are largely relegated to testing software rather than design and build it. "Despite their interest, women aen't getting any exposure or platform to learn and get started on their desirable tech journey," Manisha says.

manisha biswas, intel, google, women in tech, student developer

Reuters

Facts are on her side as well. According to a recent survey, 75 percent of women in tech in India think gender diversity is the industry's top priority, and 83 percent of women entering the field of tech believe that taking a break can practically end their careers. An overwhelming 87 percent believe the industry needs to actively do more to support their reintegration into the workforce.

As she prepares to leave for the US in September to pursue her Master's in Computer Science, Manisha Biswas is looking forward to what the future holds with a lot of optimism. "I am looking forward to connect women in technology with each other, so they can share experiences, ask questions, get advice, and learn from each other," Manisha says, as she prepares to rise higher and achieve great things in life.

All of which couldn't have been possible, she's quick to remind me, without her community initiative to empower more women in tech. All the code-labs and hackathons, study jams and community building activities ultimately helped her best self flourish, Manisha says with a smile. And she has no plans of stopping anytime soon.

Jayesh Shinde

Trespassing through the world of tech. <strong>Like A Boss!</strong>

23/11/2024 14:38:27
seductrice.net
universo-virtual.com
buytrendz.net
thisforall.net
benchpressgains.com
qthzb.com
mindhunter9.com
dwjqp1.com
secure-signup.net
ahaayy.com
tressesindia.com
puresybian.com
krpano-chs.com
cre8workshop.com
hdkino.org
peixun021.com
qz786.com
utahperformingartscenter.org
worldqrmconference.com
shangyuwh.com
eejssdfsdfdfjsd.com
playminecraftfreeonline.com
trekvietnamtour.com
your-business-articles.com
essaywritingservice10.com
hindusamaaj.com
joggingvideo.com
wandercoups.com
wormblaster.net
tongchengchuyange0004.com
internetknowing.com
breachurch.com
peachesnginburlesque.com
dataarchitectoo.com
clientfunnelformula.com
30pps.com
cherylroll.com
ks2252.com
prowp.net
webmanicura.com
sofietsshotel.com
facetorch.com
nylawyerreview.com
apapromotions.com
shareparelli.com
goeaglepointe.com
thegreenmanpubphuket.com
karotorossian.com
publicsensor.com
taiwandefence.com
epcsur.com
mfhoudan.com
southstills.com
tvtv98.com
thewellington-hotel.com
bccaipiao.com
colectoresindustrialesgs.com
shenanddcg.com
capriartfilmfestival.com
replicabreitlingsale.com
thaiamarinnewtoncorner.com
gkmcww.com
mbnkbj.com
andrewbrennandesign.com
cod54.com
luobinzhang.com
faithfirst.net
zjyc28.com
tongchengjinyeyouyue0004.com
nhuan6.com
kftz5k.com
oldgardensflowers.com
lightupthefloor.com
bahamamamas-stjohns.com
ly2818.com
905onthebay.com
fonemenu.com
notanothermovie.com
ukrainehighclassescort.com
meincmagazine.com
av-5858.com
yallerdawg.com
donkeythemovie.com
corporatehospitalitygroup.com
boboyy88.com
miteinander-lernen.com
dannayconsulting.com
officialtomsshoesoutletstore.com
forsale-amoxil-amoxicillin.net
generictadalafil-canada.net
guitarlessonseastlondon.com
lesliesrestaurants.com
mattyno9.com
nri-homeloans.com
rtgvisas-qatar.com
salbutamolventolinonline.net
sportsinjuries.info
wedsna.com
rgkntk.com
bkkmarketplace.com
zxqcwx.com
breakupprogram.com
boxcardc.com
unblockyoutubeindonesia.com
fabulousbookmark.com
beat-the.com
guatemala-sailfishing-vacations-charters.com
magie-marketing.com
kingstonliteracy.com
guitaraffinity.com
eurelookinggoodapparel.com
howtolosecheekfat.net
marioncma.org
oliviadavismusic.com
shantelcampbellrealestate.com
shopleborn13.com
topindiafree.com
v-visitors.net
djjky.com
053hh.com
originbluei.com
baucishotel.com
33kkn.com
intrinsiqresearch.com
mariaescort-kiev.com
mymaguk.com
sponsored4u.com
crimsonclass.com
bataillenavale.com
searchtile.com
ze-stribrnych-struh.com
zenithalhype.com
modalpkv.com
bouisset-lafforgue.com
useupload.com
37r.net
autoankauf-muenster.com
bantinbongda.net
bilgius.com
brabustermagazine.com
indigrow.org
miicrosofts.net
mysmiletravel.com
selinasims.com
spellcubesapp.com
usa-faction.com
hypoallergenicdogsnames.com
dailyupdatez.com
foodphotographyreviews.com
cricutcom-setup.com
chprowebdesign.com
katyrealty-kanepa.com
tasramar.com
bilgipinari.org
four-am.com
indiarepublicday.com
inquick-enbooks.com
iracmpi.com
kakaschoenen.com
lsm99flash.com
nana1255.com
ngen-niagara.com
technwzs.com
virtualonlinecasino1345.com
wallpapertop.net
casino-natali.com
iprofit-internet.com
denochemexicana.com
eventhalfkg.com
medcon-taiwan.com
life-himawari.com
myriamshomes.com
nightmarevue.com
healthandfitnesslives.com
androidnews-jp.com
allstarsru.com
bestofthebuckeyestate.com
bestofthefirststate.com
bestwireless7.com
britsmile.com
declarationintermittent.com
findhereall.com
jingyou888.com
lsm99deal.com
lsm99galaxy.com
moozatech.com
nuagh.com
patliyo.com
philomenamagikz.net
rckouba.net
saturnunipessoallda.com
tallahasseefrolics.com
thematurehardcore.net
totalenvironment-inthatquietearth.com
velislavakaymakanova.com
vermontenergetic.com
kakakpintar.com
jerusalemdispatch.com
begorgeouslady.com
1800birks4u.com
2wheelstogo.com
6strip4you.com
bigdata-world.net
emailandco.net
gacapal.com
jharpost.com
krishnaastro.com
lsm99credit.com
mascalzonicampani.com
sitemapxml.org
thecityslums.net
topagh.com
flairnetwebdesign.com
rajasthancarservices.com
bangkaeair.com
beneventocoupon.com
noternet.org
oqtive.com
smilebrightrx.com
decollage-etiquette.com
1millionbestdownloads.com
7658.info
bidbass.com
devlopworldtech.com
digitalmarketingrajkot.com
fluginfo.net
naqlafshk.com
passion-decouverte.com
playsirius.com
spacceleratorintl.com
stikyballs.com
top10way.com
yokidsyogurt.com
zszyhl.com
16firthcrescent.com
abogadolaboralistamd.com
apk2wap.com
aromacremeria.com
banparacard.com
bosmanraws.com
businessproviderblog.com
caltonosa.com
calvaryrevivalchurch.org
chastenedsoulwithabrokenheart.com
cheminotsgardcevennes.com
cooksspot.com
cqxzpt.com
deesywig.com
deltacartoonmaps.com
despixelsetdeshommes.com
duocoracaobrasileiro.com
fareshopbd.com
goodpainspills.com
hemendekor.com
kobisitecdn.com
makaigoods.com
mgs1454.com
piccadillyresidences.com
radiolaondafresca.com
rubendorf.com
searchengineimprov.com
sellmyhrvahome.com
shugahouseessentials.com
sonihullquad.com
subtractkilos.com
valeriekelmansky.com
vipasdigitalmarketing.com
voolivrerj.com
worldhealthstory.com
zeelonggroup.com
1015southrockhill.com
10x10b.com
111-online-casinos.com
191cb.com
3665arpentunitd.com
aitesonics.com
bag-shokunin.com
brightotech.com
communication-digitale-services.com
covoakland.org
dariaprimapack.com
freefortniteaccountss.com
gatebizglobal.com
global1entertainmentnews.com
greatytene.com
hiroshiwakita.com
iktodaypk.com
jahatsakong.com
meadowbrookgolfgroup.com
newsbharati.net
platinumstudiosdesign.com
slotxogamesplay.com
strikestaruk.com
techguroh.com
trucosdefortnite.com
ufabetrune.com
weddedtowhitmore.com
12940brycecanyonunitb.com
1311dietrichoaks.com
2monarchtraceunit303.com
601legendhill.com
850elaine.com
adieusolasomade.com
andora-ke.com
bestslotxogames.com
cannagomcallen.com
endlesslyhot.com
iestpjva.com
ouqprint.com
pwmaplefest.com
qtylmr.com
rb88betting.com
buscadogues.com
1007macfm.com
born-wild.com
growthinvests.com
promocode-casino.com
proyectogalgoargentina.com
wbthompson-art.com
whitemountainwheels.com
7thavehvl.com
developmethis.com
funkydogbowties.com
travelodgegrandjunction.com
gao-town.com
globalmarketsuite.com
blogshippo.com
hdbka.com
proboards67.com
outletonline-michaelkors.com
kalkis-research.com
thuthuatit.net
buckcash.com
hollistercanada.com
docterror.com
asadart.com
vmayke.org
erwincomputers.com
dirimart.org
okkii.com
loteriasdecehegin.com
mountanalog.com
healingtaobritain.com
ttxmonitor.com
nwordpress.com
11bolabonanza.com