Celebrating Women in Science on International Women’s Day 2025
NEW DELHI, Mar 8 – The remarkable achievements of women in prestigious space initiatives such as “Aditya” and “Chandrayaan” highlight a transformative culture of female leadership in various professional fields. Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh remarked, “India’s Aditya-L1 mission is led by a woman, with six laboratories of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) under female leadership, and a woman also played a key role in the Chandrayaan-3 mission. This signifies a critical shift in our scientific framework,” during his address at the International Women’s Day 2025 celebrations held at CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (CSIR-NPL).
Pioneers in Space Exploration
The event honored trailblazing women in science, including Nigar Shaji, Project Director of Aditya-L1; Kalpana Kalahasti, Associate Project Director of Chandrayaan-3; and Dr. N. Kalaiselvi, who holds the distinction of being the first woman Director General of CSIR in its 80-year history. The Minister underscored the significant advancement in gender representation in India’s science and technology sectors, with six women directors currently leading various CSIR laboratories.
Cherishing Contributions of Female Scientists
During the gathering, Dr. Jitendra Singh unveiled a video titled “CSIR Shakti: Celebrating Women in Science,” which showcases the invaluable contributions of women scientists in shaping India’s research landscape. He also acknowledged women entrepreneurs who have successfully converted CSIR technologies into thriving initiatives. Among them were Dr. Disha Ahuja for the AGR technology from CSIR-IICT that transforms market waste into cooking gas, Sudha Reddy for the E-Tractor innovation by CSIR-CMERI, and Shikha Virmani for her Lavender Products under the Purple Revolution initiative through CSIR-IIIM.
Documenting Female Achievements in Science
In addition, the Minister launched a compendium titled “CSIR ASPIRE Women Scientist Awardees,” which highlights the accomplishments of women scientists supported by CSIR. He particularly acknowledged Kalpana Kalahasti for her critical role in India’s lunar exploration mission.
Shifting Paradigms in Science and Administration
Reflecting on the evolution of Indian science and administrative frameworks, Dr. Jitendra Singh stated that women are no longer just participants; they are leading vital national projects today. He emphasized, “We have transitioned from an era of mere participation to a women-led process,” commending Dr. Kalaiselvi for shattering historical barriers, and celebrating the roles women play in major space and atomic energy ventures.
Empowering Women in Various Domains
Dr. Jitendra Singh also noted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to enhancing women’s empowerment in science. He illustrated this through initiatives aimed at increasing women’s representation during Republic Day parades and welcoming female cadets in defense institutions such as Sainik Schools and military academies. Notably, this year marked a first when PM Modi shared his personal social media platform with selected women achievers on International Women’s Day, including two from India’s space and nuclear sectors.
In her remarks, Dr. N. Kalaiselvi emphasized the growing leadership roles of women in science and technology, underlining that they are no longer mere participants but pioneers shaping India’s scientific future. She addressed the changing societal perceptions, affirming that women are now recognized not for their emotional strengths but for their resilience and leadership capabilities.
