S is for Scientist

The answer to question - 'Famous scientists from India" has many renowned names. But the fact that almost all of them are male i also true. It's time we open our eyes and give the due credit to women as-well.

Janaki Ammal Edavaleth Kakkat (4 Nov 1897 to Feb 1984)Janaki was a well-known botanist with her field of research in cytogenetic andphytogeography. In a big family of six brothers and five sisterswhere girls were mostly expected to study arts, Janaki choose a different path and pursued her honors degree in botany fromPresidency Collegein 1921.Moving ahead in her carrer, she was  working as a cytologist at theRoyal Horticultural SocietyatWisleyfrom 1945 to 1951 when she returned to India on the special invitation of Jawaharlal Nehru. 
Her awards include:

• Fellow of theIndian Academy of Sciencesin 1935
• Fellow of theIndian National Science Academyin 1957
• Honorary LL.D. by University of Michigan in 1956
• Padmashri by Government of India in 1957

There are also awards in her name;“National Award of Taxonomy” instituted by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of the Government of India in 2000“E.K. Janaki Ammal Award” instituted in 1999Image and information Source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Janaki_Ammal
Kamala SohonieThe first Indian woman to get a Ph.D in a scientific discipline, Kamaka was a biochemist. Initially, she was denied admission to Indian Institute of Science,Bangalore (renowned scientific laboratory) as a result of gender bias. With her determination and self-confidence, she finally managed to get the admission (with some shocking conditions being a woman) and there has been no looking for her back after that. It was her dedication and hard work which made Prof. C.V. Raman (the first Asian Nobel laureate in Physics) to change his mind on female students and open the gates of his prestigious institute for women the very next year.The lady with zeal of steel was invited by Dr Satyavati (first woman DG of ICMR and Chairperson of IndianCouncil of Medical Research) at the age of 84 for the facilitation of her significant work. Unfortunately, Kamala collapsed and passed away at the venue.Image and information source:http://www.academia.edu/9261356/A_Tribute_to_Kamala_Sohonie
While there are many other notable women scientists in history, the present era also has women making the list longer.
Tessy Thomas (1964 to present)Better known as the “Missile Woman”, Tessy is the Project Director for Agni-IV missile in Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) . Her childhood was spent near a rocket launching station which served as her fascination towards missiles and rockets. The lady has also been quoted by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as – “w oman making her mark in a traditionally male bastion and decisively breaking the glass ceiling”. Award: Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for her outstanding contribution for making India self-reliant in the field of missile technology.Image and information source:http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-17781281
This post is written as a part of April 2015 A to Z Challenge. My theme for this year is Women In A to Z Professions. Click at the link to check other professions women have excelled in and their respective links.