How IIT-Khargpur Alumna & TTD Engineer is Reprogramming the Rules of Age, Ambition, and AI.
In an era where many settle into routine, Kalpana Thenepalli stands as a radiant example of relentless curiosity, self-evolution, and purpose-driven passion. A Junior Engineer at Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams (TTD) and a proud alumna of IIT Kharagpur, Kalpana is far from ordinary, she is a bold visionary, a resilient learner, and a modern-day torchbearer for women in technology. At 44 years of age, when most professionals feel comfortable in their expertise, Kalpana has chosen to reinvent herself, embracing the ever-evolving world of Artificial Intelligence with unmatched zeal.
Her journey took a transformative leap as she successfully completed the prestigious Telugu AI Bootcamp 2.0, under the mentorship of renowned AI expert Nikhil Gunda. Held with the mission of empowering Telugu-speaking professionals in cutting-edge technology, this bootcamp was more than just training, it was a launchpad for dreamers like Kalpana, who wish to bridge classical engineering with the possibilities of future tech. The graduation ceremony, hosted at T-Hub, Hyderabad, on July 26, 2025, witnessed the presence of Gampa Nageshwar Rao, founder of Impact, who felicitated Kalpana with the AI Graduation Certificate in recognition of her dedication and commitment to learning.
What sets Kalpana apart is not just her academic pedigree or her technical brilliance, it's her insatiable thirst for knowledge and her creative, out-of-the-box mindset. A mother of one, she balances her personal and professional life with rare elegance, yet never lets her responsibilities deter her from exploring new horizons. Her approach to engineering is deeply rooted in innovation; whether it’s optimizing processes at TTD or finding tech-enabled solutions to daily challenges, Kalpana brings a spark of ingenuity to everything she touches.
Speaking on her experience, Kalpana shared, “The hands-on experience with AI tools taught in the Telugu AI Bootcamp 2.0 has significantly enhanced my technical skills. I strongly believe that this training will be immensely beneficial in bringing more creativity and technological advancement into my engineering work, especially within the Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams. I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Digipreneur team and Mr. Nikhil Gunda for providing me with this wonderful opportunity.”
Kalpana’s story is not just one of personal growth, it is a living inspiration to every professional who believes that learning has no age, creativity knows no bounds, and motherhood is never a barrier to greatness. Her journey is a powerful reminder that excellence is not defined by age or circumstance, but by the fire within to keep growing, exploring, and contributing. She is not just a Junior Engineer at TTD, she is a pioneer, a role model, and a beacon for generations of women technologists to come.
In celebrating Kalpana Thenepalli, we don’t just applaud a successful AI graduate, we honor the spirit of lifelong learning, the elegance of female empowerment, and the brilliance of a mind that refuses to settle. Her path forward promises even more trailblazing milestones, and the Indian tech landscape is undoubtedly brighter because she is a part of it.