'Don't Make Me Unnecessarily Famous': Engineer Madhavi Latha's Humble Request Over Chenab Bridge Goes Viral
Her role as a geotechnical consultant for the Chenab Bridge project primarily involved developing slope stabilisation schemes, Dr Madhavi Latha said in a LinkedIn post.
Engineer Dr G. Madhavi Latha, who rose to fame with the recent inauguration of the Chenab Bridge project, has urged all not to make her ‘unnecessarily famous’ while expressing gratitude for the widespread accolades.
In a LinkedIn post, the civil engineering professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, said that while she was grateful for the admiration, the success of the project should not be attributed to her alone.
“All glory of the planning, design and construction goes to Indian Railways and AFCONS. Thousands of people have significantly contributed in different ways for the construction of this iconic bridge. There are millions of unsung heroes to whom I salute today,” she said.
On the media’s portrayal of her being the "woman behind the mission", she clarified that her role as a geotechnical consultant for the project primarily involved developing slope stabilisation schemes. “All other media statements like ‘woman behind the mission’, ‘made impossible possible’ and ‘done miracles to build the bridge’ are baseless.”
Dr. Latha also highlighted the positive impact of the recognition, noting that many parents have reached out to her, expressing their desire for their daughters to be like her. “Many young kids have written to me that they now want to take up Civil Engineering as their career choice. I am extremely happy about this,” she added.
However, the civil engineering professor reiterated that she is just one among the thousands who deserve appreciation for the Chenab Bridge. "Please don't make me unnecessarily famous," she said, requesting privacy as she embarked on a trip to Spain for a conference.
Dr. Latha rose to overnight fame after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu showered praises for her years of dedication towards the project. Two days after the bridge was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 6, Naidu called Dr. Latha “one of the brilliant minds” behind the project.
"Hailing from a small village in Andhra Pradesh, she dedicated 17 years of hard work and sacrifice to build this architectural marvel for the nation," he said.
Besides Naidu, business magnate Anand Mahindra was also among millions of other Indians who lauded Dr. Latha's contributions to the project.
The Chenab Rail Bridge, an integral part of the Udhampur–Srinagar–Baramulla Rail Link, has been built at a cost of Rs 1,486 crore. This 1,315-meter-long bridge, featuring a 467-meter steel arch, ensures crucial rail connectivity in the region. This structure surpasses the Eiffel Tower in height and is built to last 120 years.
