‘Chairs will inspire girls to follow scientists’ paths’

NEW DELHI: One of the first women physicians in the country, a pioneer of India’s weather assessment systems and the first Indian woman to get a doctorate in science . Ahead of International Women’s Day, some of India’s iconic — but perhaps forgotten — women scientists will be brought out of the obscure annals of history and into the spotlight.The ministries of science and technology and women and child development have identified 11 early 20th-century women scientists in whose honour chairs will be set up in institutes across the country. The range of fields is wide — from cytogenetics to organic chemistry to social sciences. Only women researchers will take up positions and could get research fund up to Rs 1 crore.The idea behind setting up a chair is to bolster research in the field the person it is named after excelled in.The only woman from India after whom a Chair has been instituted is Mother Teresa .Last month, the ministry of women and child development had proposed Chairs named after women, for women, across disciplines.“We hope this will help highlight women who have been at the forefront of science and inspire young girls to follow in their paths,” women and child development minister Smriti Irani told TOI.Over the next week, the committee, which includes DRDO director general (aeronautical systems) Tessy Thomas and AICTE chairperson Anil Sahasrabuddhe — will identify the institutes where the Chairs will be set up.These 11 Chairs will be set up for an initial period of five years, which can be extended on the basis of research requirements.