Kamala Sohonie
Kamala Sohonie | |
---|---|
PhD | |
Spouse | M.V Sohonie |
Scientific career | |
Fields | Biochemistry scientist |
Kamala Sohonie (18 June 1911 – 28 June 1998)
Her research delved into the effects of vitamins and into the nutritive values of pulses, paddy, and groups of food items consumed by some of the poorest sections of the Indian population. Her work on the nutritional benefits of the palm extract called 'Neera' was inspired by the then-president Rajendra Prasad's suggestion. Kamala Sohonie received the Rashtrapati Award for this work.[5]
Early life
Kamala Sohonie (née Bhagvat) was born on 18 June 1911 in
Kamala then applied to the
- She would not be admitted as a regular student.
- She would be on probation for the entire first year.
- Her work would not be officially recognized until CV Raman was himself satisfied with its quality.
- She would not spoil the environment by being a "distraction" to her male colleagues.
Although admittedly humiliated by them, Kamala agreed to the terms, thus becoming in 1933 the first woman to be admitted into the institute.[6] She would later say, "Though Raman was a great scientist, he was very narrow-minded. I can never forget the way he treated me just because I was a woman. Even then, Raman didn't admit me as a regular student. This was a great insult to me. The bias against women was so bad at that time. What can one expect if even a Nobel Laureate behaves in such a way?". Also after a year, many women got their admission to the institution.[7]
Career and research
Kamala's mentor at the IISc was Sri Srinivasayya. During her stint here, she worked on proteins in milk, pulses and legumes (a subject that was especially significant in the Indian context). Her dedication and research mettle influenced Prof. Raman's decision to let women into the IISc a year after she completed her MSc degree with distinction in 1936.
She was then invited to UK's
After receiving her PhD, Kamala returned to India in 1939. As a supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, she wanted to come back to her country and contribute to the nationalist struggle.[4] She was appointed Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry at Lady Hardinge Medical College in New Delhi. Later, she worked at the Nutrition Research Laboratory, Coonoor as Assistant Director, focusing on the effects of vitamins.[7]
She married M.V Sohonie, an
Kamala started work on 'Neera' (sap extracted from the inflorescence of various species of toddy palms) on the suggestion of then-President of India, Rajendra Prasad. She found significant quantities of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and iron in the drink, and that these elements can survive concentration of Neera into palm jaggery and molasses.[7]
Later studies indicated that the inclusion of Neera in the diets of malnourished adolescent children and pregnant women from tribal communities as an inexpensive dietary supplement led to significant improvement in health.[5] She was awarded the Rashtrapati Award for her work in this subject.
Death and legacy
Kamala was an active member of the Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI). She was elected President of the CGSI for the 1982–83 period and she also authored articles on consumer safety for the organisational magazine called 'Keemat'.
Kamala Sohonie died in 1998, shortly after collapsing during a felicitation ceremony organised by Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in New Delhi.[5]
On 18 June 2023, search engine Google commemorated Sohonie with a Doodle on her 112th birth anniversary.[9]
References
- ^ "Dr. Kamala Sohonie : Breaking the barriers in the history of Indian Science". Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
- ^ a b Gupta, Aravind. "Kamala Sohonie" (PDF). Indian National Science Academy. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 August 2018. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^ "The Glass Ceiling: The why and therefore" (PDF). Vigyansagar. Government of India. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^ a b c "How Kamala Sohonie Defied Gender Bias & Became the First Indian Woman PhD in Science". The Better India. 10 March 2017. Archived from the original on 20 January 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ a b c Kumar, Ritesh (7 March 2015). "Kamala Sohonie - Woman, Who Established the Nutritive Value of the Plants, Consumed by Poor People". Archived from the original on 12 March 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ "Kamala Sohonie". Streeshakti. Archived from the original on 28 April 2019. Retrieved 19 October 2012.
- ^ a b c d e "Kamala Sohonie: First Indian Woman To Get A PhD In Science | #IndianWomenInHistory". Feminism in India. 25 December 2017. Archived from the original on 14 August 2019. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
- ^ Newnham College student records
- ^ "Kamala Sohonie's 112th Birthday". 18 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.