Google celebrates Dr Kamala Sohonie's 112th birth anniversary, honoring a trailblazing Indian biochemist
New Delhi : Google paid tribute to the exceptional achievements of Indian biochemist Dr Kamala Sohonie by featuring her in a captivating doodle, commemorating her 112th birth anniversary. Renowned as the first Indian woman to attain a PhD in a scientific field, Dr Sohonie's contributions transcend her time and serve as a symbol of inspiration for aspiring female scientists.
In recognition of her groundbreaking accomplishments, Google remarked, "Today's Doodle celebrates the 112th birthday of Indian biochemist Dr Kamala Sohonie. She was the first Indian woman to achieve a PhD in a scientific field during a time when Indian women were conspicuously underrepresented in scientific disciplines. By breaking barriers and proving her doubters wrong, Dr Sohonie not only did pioneering work in her field of biochemistry but helped forge a path for future Indian women to overcome gender bias and pursue their dreams."
Born on June 18, 1911, in the city of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, Dr Kamala Sohonie hailed from a family with esteemed chemists as parents. Inspired by her father and uncle, she embarked on a journey in chemistry and physics at Bombay University, graduating at the top of her class in 1933.
Despite facing skepticism about the capabilities of women in science, Dr Sohonie defied expectations and became the first woman to be admitted to the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc). During her initial year, she encountered stringent conditions imposed by the director, yet her unwavering competence and determination earned her permission to continue her research. Impressively, her remarkable achievements led to the IISc welcoming more women into their program.
Over the subsequent years, Dr Sohonie focused her studies on the analysis of proteins found in legumes, ultimately discovering their nutritional benefits for children. In 1936, she published her groundbreaking thesis on this subject, culminating in the award of her master's degree.
Her academic prowess and research excellence garnered her a research scholarship at Cambridge University in 1937. During her time at Cambridge, Dr Sohonie made a profound discovery of Cytochrome C, a vital enzyme for energy generation, present in all plant cells. Remarkably, within a mere 14 months, she completed her thesis on this significant finding, thereby earning her PhD.
Returning to India, Kamala Sohonie continued her scientific pursuits, with a particular focus on studying the advantageous properties of certain foods. Her dedication led to the development of a cost-effective dietary supplement called Neera, derived from palm nectar. This nourishing beverage, rich in Vitamin C, has proven to enhance the health of malnourished children and pregnant women.
In recognition of her remarkable contributions, Dr Kamala Sohonie was honored with the prestigious Rashtrapati Award. Additionally, she achieved yet another milestone by becoming the first female director of the esteemed Royal Institute of Science in Bombay.
Dr Sohonie's pioneering spirit, groundbreaking research, and unwavering determination have left an indelible mark on the scientific community. Her legacy serves as an enduring inspiration for generations of women, encouraging them to pursue their dreams, shatter gender biases, and make significant contributions to the world of science.
