Taking firefighting to top level

Hyderabad-based Sathvika is the youngest and the only entrepreneur in the field of fire and safety across India.

Breaking all the stereotypes, she is a torchbearer of women empowerment proving the adage that women can achieve success in any field if given an opportunity.

She is also the Founder of ADIRA Empowering Women, started with sole objective of empowering the women and making them self-reliant. Sathvika believes Empowered Women are powerful beyond measures and beautiful beyond description.

Sharing her journey to The Hans India, she says, "It all began 25 years ago with my dad starting a small company. To help my dad, I started working with him at the age of 16.

Once I realised that this is where my passion lies, I pursued my education in the sector and did my double degree and double PG."

Speaking about the fire that ravaged Numaish last year, she says: "Much could have been saved if the traders there were given training in fire safety.

We see fire extinguishers everywhere, but how many know how to use them? Educating everyone, including fire safety staff, about advancements in the field is very necessary. Though the government has laid down rules to follow, we see violations everywhere."

About her felicitations by Telangana ministers, she says, "I was happy handling everyday a huge crowd for 45 days of the exhibition.

Thanks to the Exhibition Society for giving me the opportunity of fire security; I feel my responsibility has increased and has given me more confidence to take my programme 'Safe Zone Telangana' further ahead."

She is the only Asian woman in the world to achieve level seven in safety. On this, she says, "Even in India, in private, public and government sectors there is no one in safety field as it's a tough job. One has to be technically sound and be on site and take care of life and property.

There are only men in this field as it needs lots of grit and strong attitude to be a safety officer. Also, in India the educational opportunities are up till level five, even the teaching staff here have no knowledge in this sector and there are no proper certification processes. I want to change all this."

On her 'Safe Zone Telangana' campaign, she shares "It is special programme designed in such a way that safety awareness will be created among all age groups, educated and uneducated. The safety awareness training campaign will cover the entire Telangana and Hyderabad region.

With India having the world's biggest young population, we should have one to protect us. There is a need for awareness on which companies are insurance cover for fire accidents. If people know the causes of fire accidents, then I'm sure we all will feel safe like those in western countries."

She also shares, "Education in fire safety should start right after 10th standard as I feel 16-year-olds are matured enough to know the value of life and handle it safely.

As it involves protecting life and property, everyone will have a strong foundation on the subject just like maths, physics and languages. I feel that safety of life is more important than other subjects.

I conduct 5 to 10 programmes a week where 90 per cent of them are voluntary services. Till now I have given 500+ trainings in 32 countries. Since the age of 16 I have working knowledge, experience and certifications in this sector."