The Hindu : National : Create right atmosphere for women scientists: Kalam

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Tuesday, Aug 22, 2006

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National

Create right atmosphere for women scientists: Kalam

Staff Reporter

``Government needs to be generous in recognising and nurturing them''

— Photo: Bhagya Prakash. K

HIGHLIGHTING THEIR ROLE: President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam addressing a seminar on Women: Science and Technology in Bangalore on Monday.

BANGALORE : President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam on Monday called for creating the right atmosphere for women scientists to play the role expected of them in national development.

Speaking after inaugurating a seminar on "Women, Science and Technology" organised by the Bangalore University and the University Grants Commission here on Monday, the President underlined the important role women scientists could play in national development. Seminars highlighting the role of women in the field of science and technology would help in creating an environment that would promote excellence among women scientists and technologists and also maximise their contribution to national development.

Quoting from a Tamil poem, which emphasised that " Emerging woman has a lofty and knowledge based pride," Mr. Kalam discussed some aspects of science and the experience of five women scientists, Madam Marie Curie and four Indian scientists. He classified the topic of his discussion as "Emerging Women in Science."

Explaining the conviction, courage dedication and humaneness behind the experiments undertaken by Madam Curie, Mr. Kalam said her life had been full of challenges. Her experiences in conducting experiments daring adversities and her success would always be a source of inspiration for all scientists belonging to the present and future generations, he added.

Referring to four distinguished women scientists, Rohini Devi, Geeta Varadan, Vijayalakshmi Ravindranath and Manju Sharma, associated with four different institutions in the country, the President said that he knew all of them through their scientific works. Their hard work in building their career in science would "reveal the societal attitude towards women in science," he observed.

Narrating the experiences of Ms.Devi, the senior most woman scientist working with the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and Ms. Varadan, Project Director for Special Projects of Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore, Mr.Kalam said the latter was responsible for establishing nine remote sensing centres across the country.

Referring to the illustrious career of Dr. Sharma, Director of the Indian Institute of Advanced Research (Ahmedabad) in the field of science management, Mr. Kalam said her career in science management was "unique." Mr. Kalam appealed to those interested to visit his official website www.presidentofindia.nic.in for details and interaction on the subject.

Chief Minister H. D. Kumaraswamy explained the measures initiated by Karnataka for encouraging empowerment of women working in various fields.

Governor T. N. Chaturvedi released a book of abstracts on the theme of the seminar. Deputy Chief Minister B. S. Yediyurappa and Minister for Higher Education D. H. Shankaramurthy spoke.

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