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New Delhi : Women Scientists’ and Entrepreneurs’ Conclave is a unique platform to discuss the challenges facing the women scientists and entrepreneurs in their lives and career. IISF 2020 provided this forum on virtual mode. Many renowned women scientists, actress, and entrepreneurs shared their struggles and experiences in the conclave on December 23, 2020.
In a panel discussion (Touching the Skies Showcasing Real Life Journeys), Padma Shri Kalpana Saroj shared her thoughts. She described the trials and tribulations of her childhood and youth. However, working 16 hours a day, she consolidated gains step by step till she acquired Kamani companies and turned it around. “The only lesson you need to understand from my journey is that grit, perseverance, and a superhuman ability to have faith in yourself does wonders in life.”
Renowned Indian Film Actress Rohini Hattangadi talked about starting her life with National School of Drama and also learning classical dance at the same time, Avishkar theater group, worked in Japanese drama, school for emerging actors. Then into cinema since 1984. “One of the most difficult roles was playing middle aged Kasturba Gandhi in “Gandhi” opposite Ben Kingsley at the age of 27,” she said.
Rohini Hattangadi has received several awards including the prestigious BAFTA award and the stories behind them are of tough determination to surmount hurdles. She is a powerful actor on stage and screen, forever grateful to her guru Ebrahim Alkazi. She stressed on the importance of having a support system, following your heart and working hard in whatever fields you do belong whether it is scientific research, education, drama or music. She said that a woman must always be strong to say ‘NO’ when she does not want to follow a path. “Maintain your dignity at all times and the world will learn to respect you,” she asserted.
Dr. Urmila Mitra Kraev, a plasma physicist at the University of Cambridge, speaking in the conclave, said that as a young mother she was well aware of the issues related to pursuing a science career focused on frontier level research, which were prevalent globally. She said, “But the rewards of science discovery are far greater than the difficulties and with planning and determination things do work out if one is confident of one’s goal.” She talked about how she developed interest in stars at the age of 11 and then followed her passion to become a successful astrophysicist.
Indian physicist, Padma Shri Prof. Rohini Godbole talked about her journey from studying physics in Pune to her current position as a particle physicist best known for her work at CERN. Her work on high energy photons could form the basis for the next generation of particle colliders, used to study the fabric and composition of the Universe. She said that she came from a middle class family believing in education and supportive of her decision to pursue career in science, which empowered her to do her PhD at Stonybrooks University. After that, she worked at TIFR leading to the Drees Godbole effect and the Godbole Pancheri model. She is an active believer of providing nurturing environment for growth of girls in science.
Dr Sharmila Mande, PhD from IISc, Bangalore, and Distinguished Chief Scientist, current Head of Bio Sciences R&D in TCS, with deep rooted research interests in microbiology is a strong supporter of women in science, specially in leadership positions. Dr Mande is one of the first who worked on computational Biology. She talked about her non-invasive marker that may lead to saving newborn babies. She suggested to follow one’s heart to take up any challenges in one’s life.
Harpreet Singh is the first woman to be selected by Air India as the first woman commercial pilot of India in 1988. However, due to health reasons, she had to leave her flying job. She has been appointed as the CEO of the state-run airline’s subsidiary Alliance Air, becoming the first-ever woman to head an Indian carrier.
Dr Atya Kaple, Principal Coordinator of the Conclave, moderated the panel discussion.