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Subrat SaurabhAuthor of Kuch Woh Pal
‘Indian Women Scientist: Unsung stories’ is a very absorbing and inspiring account of four eminent women scientists Dr Malti Goel, Dr Krishnamma Reddy, Dr Kiran Kumar and the author herself Dr Vijaya Sinha. These pioneers did not only chase their dreams successfully but also made our nation proudly realize its dream in the realm of research and development in science. These science luminaries belong to an era when the concept of higher education in the field of science was quite alien to women. The threshold of the institutes of science and technology was beyond their access. Their appearance in the research laboratories was a rare phenomenon. The gender discrimination saw to it that many women talents got nipped in the bud.Their achievement was no mean feat. They broke the barriers of socio-cultural gender-baseddogma and stormed the male bastion. Not only did they survive but scaled academic heights and excelled in the field .
The four women scientists are drawn from the different regions of the socio-cultural spectrum of the country Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar respectively. There is one common thread which runs in each of the stories, which is unfortunately that of inequality and discrimination in the field of higher science education for women. Their struggle against this all pervasive bias is very much palpable in these stories.
---- Vishwmohan
Dr. Vijaya Sinha
Dr. Vijaya Sinha: Born in Chapra district of Bihar 5th December 1944. B Sc Physics Honors 1963, M Sc Physics 1965 PSC (Patna Science College). Lecturer PSC one year. Ph D IIT Delhi 1973. While doing Ph D got married in 1969 to an IAS officer of Gujarat Cadre, 1960 batch, working in Delhi on deputation as Deputy Secretary. Before completing thesis work, became mother of two sons. Husband got transferred to Gandhinagar in 1971. After submitting thesis in 1972, joined him with the two kids. Joined Physics Department, GU (Gujarat University) in 1976 after both the kids started going to school. Worked there as Research Associate and Pool Officer (1976-1986). Got blessed with a daughter in 1977. Started and looked after a Child Care Unit during stay in GU. Worked in SAC (Space Applications Center), Ahmedabad, Pool Officer (1986-1988), Scientist (1988-2004), Consultant (2008-2009). Published/ presented number of papers in National and International Journals/ Conferences. Wrote number of Technical Reports and trained about a dozen of Apprentices. Examiner for a Ph D student CARE, IIT Delhi. As Head MEDF (Micro Electronics Design Facility) got some devices developed which are regularly being used in various satellites. After retirement, gave an invited talk at Amity University. Felicitated on International Women’s day, Sanskar Kendra (2006), Divya Bhaskar Newspaper (2010) & Sadvichar Parivar (2019) and on Amrit Mahotsav by SBI (2022). During college days took part in Annual Sports and have collected around two dozen trophies winning playing badminton, table and other indoor games. During Corona Pandemic, did online social work for Corona Patients in Bihar and was instrumental in establishing a CSC (Common Service Center) in one of the villages in Bihar. Gave few invited talks in Vedio Conferences arranged by IIT Delhi Alumni Association. Presently Member Executive Committee, RIOAA (Retired ISRO Officers’ Association, Ahmedabad) and Jt. Editor Avakash Newsletter published by RIOAA.
