Kamala Sohonie (1911-1998) was an Indian biochemist, famous for being the first Indian woman to earn a PhD. In the field of science.
Wiki/Biography
Kamala Sohonie, formerly known as Bhagvat, was born on Sunday, June 18, 1911 in Indore, British India (now Madhya Pradesh, India) (aged 87 age). It’s Gemini. In 1933, Kamala completed his studies at the University of Bombay, earning a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and physics, and applied for a research scholarship to the Indian Institute of Science. However, her application was rejected by the then director, Nobel Prize winner Professor CV Raman, on the grounds that women did not have enough ability to engage in research. Later, when she protested outside Professor CV Raman’s office, she got admission.
appearance
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
family
Parents and siblings
Her father Narayanarao Bhagvat was a chemist who studied at what was once known as the Tata Institute of Science (later known as the Indian Institute of Science) in Bangalore.
husband and children
In 1947, she married MV Sohonie, an actuarial professional, and subsequently moved to Bombay.
Kamala and her husband
The couple has two children.
Kamala and her children
other family members
Her uncle Madhavrao Bhagvat was also a chemist and studied at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
Profession
She went to the University of Cambridge, England, to join Dr. Derek Richter in the laboratory of Frederick G. Hopkins. She was a member of Newnham College, where she began her studies in 1937, where she studied for a third-class degree in Biological Natural Sciences. After Richter left, she collaborated with Dr. Robin Hill on plant tissue. While researching potatoes, she discovered the enzyme “cytochrome C.” This enzyme is essential for the electron transport chain, a process fundamental to energy production in plants, humans and animals. Kamala serves as Professor and Head, Department of Biochemistry, Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. She then served as Assistant Director of the Nutritional Research Laboratory in Coonoor where her work focused on the impact of vitamins. She later became professor of biochemistry at the Royal Institute of Science. Here, she and her team delve into nutritional research on legumes. During this phase, they conducted extensive research on primary food categories consumed primarily by economically disadvantaged communities in India. On the recommendation of the then President of India, Rajendra Prasad, Kamala began researching “Neera”, a sap extracted from various palm trees. Her research results showed that Neera contains high amounts of vitamin A, vitamin C and iron. Interestingly, even though Neera is processed into jaggery and molasses, these nutrients remain intact.
other works
Apart from her achievements in science, Kamala also played a crucial role as a consultant at the Aarey Milk Project factory in Mumbai, where she developed a method to prevent milk from curdling. She was also instrumental in the establishment of the Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI). While serving as president of the association in 1982-83, she wrote articles emphasizing consumer protection for the association’s magazine “Keemat”. Founded in 1966 by nine women, CGSI is India’s first consumer rights organization.
Main works
Kamala’s research focuses on the impact of vitamins and the nutritional benefits of pulses, rice and specific foods that are part of the diet of malnourished adolescents and pregnant women in tribal groups. Introducing these as affordable dietary enhancers can significantly improve health outcomes. On the recommendation of then President Rajendra Prasad, she explored the nutritional advantages of a palm derivative called ‘Neera’.
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- Received the President’s Award of India for his research in ‘Neera’
die
Kamala Sohonie died in 1998 shortly after collapsing during a commendation event organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in New Delhi.
Facts/Trivia
- Kamala Sohonie comes from a family with strong scientific roots. Her father Narayanarao Bhagvat and uncle Madhavrao Bhagvat were both accomplished chemists who studied at the then Tata Institute of Science in Bangalore (which later became the famous Indian Institute of Science).
- When Kamala initially applied for admission to the Indian Institute of Science, she was rejected. She stood her ground outside Professor CV Raman’s office during a non-violent protest or ‘satyagraha’. This act eventually led to her admission to the academy, but with certain conditions:
- She was not allowed to be a regular student.
- She will be on probation for her first year.
- Her work will be officially recognized only after Professor Raman is personally convinced of its quality.
- It was hoped that she would not become a “distraction” to her male classmates.
- In 1933, although she felt insulted, Kamala accepted the terms and became the first female student at the college.
- Reflecting on this, she later commented on the widespread gender bias of the time, highlighting in particular the narrow-mindedness of Nobel laureates like CV Raman. However, due to her courage, many more women were later admitted to the institution.
- After earning her PhD, Kamala returned to India in 1939 as an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi, eager to help the national freedom movement.
- Not only is she a distinguished researcher, she is also an active science communicator and the author of several educational books. One of her famous books is “Aahar Gatha” written in Marathi.
- While at Cambridge, she worked under the supervision of Dr. Derek Richter, who made the unique arrangement of providing her with a desk during the day and using it himself as a bed at night.
- Kamala received two scholarships during her academic career. Her first job was at the Sir William de Wang Institute of Biochemistry in Cambridge, where she specialized in biological oxidation and reduction under the supervision of Nobel Prize winner Professor Frederick Hopkins. Her second opportunity was a traveling fellowship in the United States, which provided her with the opportunity to interact with renowned European scientists.
- Notably, Kamala completed his entire PhD, from research to thesis, in just 14 months and wrote a 40-page document, which is considered shorter than an average paper.
- Many of her students also helped her with her research and became respected scientists in their own right.
- Despite Kamala’s extraordinary scientific prowess, she has faced considerable career challenges, particularly due to gender bias. She believes that her promotion to the director of the institute was delayed by four years. When she was eventually promoted to the directorship, her first supervisor at Cambridge, Dr Derek Richter, commented on the significance of her appointment as the first female director of such a prestigious scientific institution.
- Recognizing Kamala’s contributions and obstacles, Dr Satyavati, the first female Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), organized a grand ceremony in her honor in New Delhi. She was 84 years old at the time.
- To honor the legacy of Kamala Sohonie, Google is celebrating her 112th birthday on June 18, 2023, with the launch of a special Google Doodle.
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education