Athulya has made history as India’s first female commercial diver, breaking traditional gender barriers in one of the world’s most dangerous professions. Unlike recreational scuba diving, commercial diving involves complex industrial tasks underwater, such as welding and repairing ships or dam structures. Inspired by a college lecture on gender studies, Athulya embarked on this challenging journey, proving that determination and skill know no gender boundaries.

Hailing from Palakkad, Kerala, Athulya initially trained in scuba diving at Kovalam, Trivandrum, before pursuing commercial diving. The high cost of the course—around 12 lakh rupees—was funded by her family, which she later repaid through her hard work. Recognizing her potential, a South African commercial diving institute sponsored her training, leading her to work in South Africa for a year. She is currently preparing to expand her career to Dubai.

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Commercial diving is physically demanding and highly risky. Divers carry nearly 40 kilograms of gear, including a 14 kg helmet and a 17 kg oxygen cylinder, which must be carried to the dive site before experiencing weightlessness underwater. Athulya emphasizes that strict adherence to safety protocols, depth limits, and constant communication with the surface team are vital to surviving this extreme environment.