PSPCL’s first Woman Engineer, Er. Sushil Parshottam Syan passes away
Leaving Behind a Trailblazing Legacy
Babushahi Bureau
Patiala (Punjab), June 17, 2026: Er. Sushil Parshottam Syan, the first woman engineer of the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL), formerly known as the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB), has passed away. She breathed her last on May 2, 2026, in Mohali. Information regarding her demise was shared by her husband, advocate Ram Sarup Dhada, on Wednesday.
A pioneer in Punjab's power sector, Er. Syan is remembered for breaking gender barriers at a time when women were rarely seen in technical professions. Her remarkable journey inspired generations of women to pursue careers in engineering and public service.
Born on June 15, 1945, in Multan (now in Pakistan), Er. Syan was the daughter of Bir Singh and Kartar Kaur. She completed her graduation from Panjab University, Chandigarh, in 1965, an era when higher education for women was uncommon. She later earned a Diploma in Electrical Engineering from Central Polytechnic, Chandigarh, and went on to acquire an AMIE qualification in Automobile Engineering during her service career.
She joined the Punjab State Electricity Board on September 16, 1967, as a Line Superintendent in the Tubewell Construction Division at Patiala. Her appointment marked a historic milestone, making her the first woman engineer in the organization. At a time when women engineers were a rarity, she drew attention across the region and became a symbol of determination and progress.
After serving as a Line Superintendent for nearly 14 years, she was promoted as Junior Engineer-II in 1981 and later as Junior Engineer in 1986. In 1995, she rose to the rank of Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), and in 2001 she was promoted as Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) and posted at the Guru Gobind Singh Super Thermal Plant, Ropar.
Throughout her 36-year-long career, Er. Syan earned recognition for her dedication, professionalism and commitment to public service. She retired from service on June 30, 2003, leaving behind a distinguished legacy in Punjab's power sector.
Her passing has been widely mourned by the engineering fraternity and former colleagues. Several senior and retired PSPCL officials, engineers and office-bearers of engineers' associations have expressed condolences and paid tribute to her pioneering contributions.
Er. Sushil Parshottam Syan's life remains a powerful testament to perseverance, excellence and courage. As Punjab's first woman engineer in the power sector, her achievements opened doors for countless women and continue to inspire future generations of engineers across the state.