The nation has come a long way from being buyers of technology to having made science and technology an important contributor to its development. In this endeavour, women scientists have played a key role, especially in the areas of space research, defence, and nuclear science, said Union Minister of State for Defence Subash Bhamre here on Wednesday.
Mr. Bhamre was addressing women scientists and staff of the Defence Research and Development Organisations (DRDO) at a national workshop on ‘Mahila Unleashing Dynamism in Research Areas (MUDRA)’ on the occasion of International Women’s Day at the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) auditorium.
Project leaders
The Minister pointed out that women defence scientists have put their best foot forward or have been project leaders in recent advancements in cryogenic engines, missiles, AWACs also known as airborne early warning systems, Chandrayan, and Mangalyaan, among others.
While the Central government has taken many initiatives to promote female child development and women empowerment with schemes like ‘Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao’, ‘Mahila e-Haat’, and ‘Rashtriya Mahila Kosh’, there was still a strong need to orient more women towards science and technology. Women scientists should take the lead to promote the same among female students in academic institutes.
Minister for IT K.T. Rama Rao called for a level playing field for women. He said rather than nurturing or celebrating gender stereotypical images, it was better to hail the individual’s contribution and success. “Let us try to reduce their sacrifices,” Mr. Rao said.
DRDO chairman S. Christopher said, “Dynamic contribution of women scientists has enabled our organisation to scale greater heights.” Scientific Adviser to Defence Minister G. Satheesh Reddy hoped to see more women scientists in leadership roles.
Chief Minister’s secretary Smita Sabharwal said, “Leadership and competence have no gender.” Chief of Integrated Staff Lieutenant General Satish Dua also spoke.
3% to 15%
“When I joined the DRDO, women scientists constitutes just 3% of the staff strength. Over the years, it has grown to 15%. Among them quite a few — 25% — have leadership roles. We would like to see it grow to 50%,” said project director of Advanced Systems Laboratory and MUDRA chairperson Tessy Thomas.
Interacting with the media on the sidelines the national workshop on MUDRA at the Research Centre Imarat (RCI) auditorium, Ms. Thomas said that when DRDO seeks scientists it does not seek any specific gender, and felt that there are more opportunities for today’s younger generation to pursue careers in science and technology.
While there has been no recruitment in the last four years, Ms. Thomas is sure of more women joining the defence labs as soon as the government clears funds and sanctions more posts in the coming days.
