Empowering women in science is beyond breaking barriers- it is about rewriting the narrative of discovery.
Whether pioneering physicians or groundbreaking researchers- Indian women have played a crucial role in shaping the scientific landscape of the country.
Let us celebrate the achievements of women leading India's scientific revolution on this women's day.
Anandibai Gopalrao Joshi blazed a trail as India's first female to study and graduate with a degree in Western Medicine in the United States. Born in 1865, she shattered gender norms to pursue a degree in medicine from the Women's Medical College of Pennsylvania.
A renowned botanist, Janaki Ammal, achieved her professional dreams while overcoming all the gender and caste barriers. Today, she is known for her groundbreaking work in cytogenetics and plant breeding. Her research on sugarcane helped India achieve self-sufficiency in sugar production.
Nicknamed "Agniputri" (daughter of fire), Tessy Thomas is a distinguished aerospace scientist and the first woman director of the Agni-5 Missile Programme. She has a remarkable journey from a small village in Kerala to becoming a leading scientist and Director General of Aeronautical Systems at the DRDO and a significant contributor to India's missile program.
A leading Indian scientist and aerospace engineer, Ritu Karidahl is a pioneer in crucial space missions, including Chandrayaan-2, Mangalayaan and India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM). Her research has shed light on the formation of black holes and neutron stars.
A world-renowned virologist and sprightly microbiologist, Dr Gagandeep Kang is at the forefront of research on enteric viruses, including those causing rotavirus and hepatitis E. She led the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. Her persistence and hard work have won her many firsts in the world of science.
Vidita Vaidya is making waves in the field of molecular psychiatry, the role of serotonin in shaping neurocircuits and more. She dedicated her career to understanding the complexities of the human brain. Her research on stress and neurogenesis sheds light on mental health and has implications for developing innovative treatments for psychiatric disorders.
As a quantum physicist, Aditi Sen De's research focuses on quantum information and computation, quantum communication, such as quantum cryptography, quantum optics and many-body physics. She is the first female physicist to be given the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology for her contributions to physical sciences in 2018.
Dr Aditi Sen De receiving SSB award for 2018 in Physics. @CSIR_IND @shekhar_mande pic.twitter.com/EFAkRt8jn2
— Dr Geetha Vani Rayasam (@GVRayasam) March 2, 2019
The first woman engineer to get appointed to the faculty of IISc, Rajeshwari Chatterjee has made significant contributions to the field of electronics engineering. Her pioneering work in microwave engineering and semiconductor devices has left an impact on the electronics industry, making her a role model for aspiring engineers.
An atmospheric physicist and meteorologist, Anna Mani played a crucial role in establishing India's network of meteorological observatories. Her work on solar radiation and climate change paved the way for advancements in meteorological research in India.
A renowned chemist and the first woman elected Fellow of the Royal Society (UK) from India, Asima Chatterjee is known for her significant research. She was the first woman to be awarded a Doctor of Science by an Indian University- in 1944, by the University of Calcutta.
The contributions of these esteemed Indian scientists in the field of chemistry, astronomy, physics, medicine are truly remarkable and an inspiration for generations to come.
