Rashi Tiwari

When did you realise this was the career path for you?

I didn’t have one defining moment; it was a gradual realisation. When I first worked on a highway project in 2017, I enjoyed the process and loved witnessing the impact of my work. With each project since, I’ve felt more confident that this is the right path for me.

Have you got any words of wisdom for someone starting out in a similar role?

Walk the walk, literally. Transportation touches every corner of society, so if you’re designing it, you need to experience it. Cycle the route, walk the footpath. The best insights come from seeing how people actually move through space, not just how we think they should.

How does SYSTRA stand out from the rest as a great place to work?

Honestly, it’s the people. I’ve had managers who genuinely care about my professional growth, and work with senior engineers who take the time to explain things without making me feel I should already know it. There’s a real feeling of support throughout the business, and not just when it comes to honing technical skills. You’re never left to figure things out alone.

With such power in diversity, what unique perspective do you bring to the table?

Having worked across disciplines and with diverse teams, I’ve learned how to translate complex design challenges into clear, collaborative solutions. I’m always thinking about how decisions impact real people, not just on paper, but in their daily lives. That balance between detail and empathy is what shapes my approach.

Where is the place that has inspired you the most?

The Himalayas inspire me deeply – their vastness really puts life in perspective. When you stand before those towering peaks, your daily worries, ambitions and even your sense of self seem to shrink. It’s where I’ve felt most connected to the earth and my own thoughts.

What does true sustainability really mean to you?

Living with intention. It’s not just about recycling or going electric, it’s about designing systems, habits and mindsets that regenerate rather than deplete. It’s the art of leaving things better than you found them.

What would a green future look like?

A future where cities breathe. Imagine urban spaces with permeable pavements, green roofs, decentralised water systems, and transport networks powered by clean energy. Civil engineering would be less about concrete and more about coexisting with nature.

How do you look after your wellbeing outside of work?

I walk in nature and sketch or paint what I see. I love painting because it allows me to see the world not just as it is, but as it could be. As a highway engineer, my daily work revolves around precision like gradients, alignments and calculations. Painting allows me to step back and see the poetry. Art keeps me grounded in purpose.

If you could spend your lunchbreak with someone you really admire, who would you choose?

If I could sit down with anyone from history, I’d choose the master architects of ancient India, the visionaries behind Meenakshi Temple, Konark Sun Temple, Brihadeeswarar Temple and many more. In many ways, those ancient minds were far ahead of us. They understood scale without sacrificing soul, and built sustainably without needing incentive or persuasion. Sitting with them would be like opening a portal to a time when architecture was sacred, and every stone carried meaning.

If you had to pick, which mode of transport would you use for the rest of your life?

If I had to rely on one mode for life, rail would be the smartest and most future-ready choice.