In 1937, 18-year-old Ayyalasomayajula Lalitha faced the daunting challenge of raising her infant daughter after the untimely death of her husband. In an era when widows were expected to lead lives of isolation and sorrow, Lalitha chose a different path.

Born in 1919 into a middle-class Telugu family in Chennai, Lalitha was the fifth of seven siblings. While her brothers pursued engineering, her sisters received limited education. Despite being married at 15, Lalitha's father, Pappu Subba Rao, a professor of Electrical Engineering at the College of Engineering, Guindy (CEG), supported her desire to continue her education.

In 1943, Lalitha graduated with a degree in electrical engineering from CEG, becoming India's first female engineer. She went on to work with the Central Standards Organisation in Shimla, assist her father in Chennai, and later joined Associated Electrical Industries in Calcutta, contributing to significant projects like the Bhakra Nangal Dam.

Lalitha's legacy extends beyond her technical achievements; she was a vocal advocate for women's rights and education, inspiring generations of women to pursue careers in engineering and STEM fields.

Her story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of education in breaking societal barriers.