Kamala Sohonie: Why Google doodle honored her ?
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| Courtesy: Wikipeida |
Kamala was born in Indore on July 18, 1918 which is now Madhya Pradesh . Her father, Narayanarao Bhagvat, and her uncle, Madhavrao Bhagvat, were both chemists who had studied at the Tata Institute of Sciences, which later became the Indian Institute of Science, in Bengaluru. Following in their footsteps, Kamala graduated in 1933 from Bombay University with a Bachelor of Science degree, majoring in Chemistry with Physics as a subsidiary subject.
Kamala Sohonie proceeded to apply for a research fellowship at the Indian Institute of Science, hoping to further her academic pursuits. However, her application faced rejection from the then-Director and Nobel Laureate, Prof. C. V. Raman. The grounds for the rejection were rooted in the prevalent notion that women were not deemed competent enough to engage in research. Unfazed by this setback, Kamala responded with determination and resilience. She staged a 'satyagraha,' a nonviolent protest, outside Prof. C. V. Raman's office, advocating for her rightful admission. Her tenacity and persuasive efforts eventually persuaded Prof. C. V. Raman to reconsider his decision, granting her admission but with certain stipulations. The conditions imposed on Kamala Sohonie's admission were as follows:
1. She would not be granted admission as a regular student.
2. She would be placed on probation for the entirety of her first year.
3. Official recognition of her work would only be granted once Prof. C. V. Raman himself was satisfied with its quality.
4. Measures would be taken to ensure that she would not disrupt the academic environment or act as a "distraction" to her male colleagues.
Despite the humiliation she experienced, Kamala Sohonie agreed to the imposed terms, making her the first woman to be admitted to the institute in 1933. Reflecting on the situation, she expressed her sentiments, stating, "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?" However, it is worth noting that after a year, several other women were also granted admission to the institution.
According to historical records, the enrollment of women at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) experienced a notable rise following Kamala Sohonie's successful completion of her course with outstanding achievement. Her exceptional performance played a significant role in altering Prof. C. V. Raman's perception regarding the competence of women in the field of science. In 1936, Sohonie embarked on a new chapter of her academic journey by venturing to Cambridge University, where she commenced her thesis.
During her time at Cambridge, Kamala Sohonie made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of biochemistry. She is renowned for her identification of Cytochrome C, a versatile enzyme that holds great importance in the generation of cellular energy. Through her research, she confirmed the presence of Cytochrome C in cells, providing crucial insights into its functions. This discovery opened up new avenues for further exploration and understanding in the realm of biochemistry.
Kamala Sohonie's remarkable achievements and contributions continue to inspire and leave a lasting impact on the scientific community. Her dedication, perseverance, and significant discoveries have solidified her reputation as a trailblazing figure in the field of scientific research.
Sohonie returned to India in 1939 after receiving her Ph.D. She oversaw the biochemistry department at Lady Hardinge College in New Delhi and held various assistant director positions, including one at the Nutrition Research Lab in Coonoor. She subsequently enrolled in the Royal Institute of Science in Mumbai where she proceeded to research the chemistry of various foods. She then created the nourishing beverage "Neera" made from palm extract, which proved to be an excellent source of vitamin C and benefited the health of pregnant women and malnourished children.
Later, Sohonie received the Rashtrapati Award for her invention of "Neera." After being married to MV Sohonie, she made her home in Mumbai, where she died on June 28th, 1998, at the age of 87.