Vineeta Rao
Auckland, April 7, 2024
Kamala Sohonie was the first Indian woman to get a PhD and made significant contributions to the field of nutrition.
Achieving a doctorate is daunting enough. But imagine being the first woman ever in your country to earn a PhD in a scientific discipline!
Ms Sohonie’s name will forever be etched in history as a pioneer for women in Indian science, breaking barriers and setting a precedent for generations of female scientists to follow.
She was born into a highly educated family with a strong scientific background on June 18, 1911, in Indore. Her father and uncle were chemists, which inspired her to pursue a career in science.
She graduated with a BSc in Chemistry and Physics from Bombay University in 1933, achieving the first rank in her class.
Struggles and Triumphs
Despite her academic excellence, Ms. Sohonie faced significant gender bias when she applied for a research fellowship at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. The then-Director Nobel Laureate Sir C V Raman initially rejected her application, doubting the competence of women in research. He even believed that she would be a distraction to the men in his research programme.
Undeterred, she staged a satyagraha (non-violent resistance) outside his office, which eventually led to her admission under stringent and somewhat humiliating conditions.
While she accepted the conditions, which included a probation and being forbidden to ‘distract’ men, she felt humiliated.
Ms Sohonie said, “Though Sir Raman was a great scientist, he was very narrow-minded. I can never forget the way he treated me just because I was a woman. Even then, he did not admit me as a regular student. This was a great insult to me. The bias against women was so bad at that time. What can one expect if even a Nobel Laureate behaves in such a way?”
Her dedication and quality of work eventually convinced Sir Raman to admit more women into the institute, marking a significant victory for gender equality in Indian science.
Her work at IISc under the mentorship of Srinivasayya focused on proteins in milk, pulses, and legumes, which had significant implications for India’s nutritional practices.
Ms Sohonie’s journey did not stop at IISc. She went on to pursue her PhD at Newnham College, University of Cambridge, where she worked under Dr Robin Hill. Her groundbreaking research on the enzyme cytochrome C in plant tissues and its role in cellular respiration was completed in less than 14 months and earned her a PhD in 1939.
Contributions to Science
Ms Sohonie’s contributions to science extended beyond her PhD.
Inspired by Mahatma Gandhi, she returned to India and served as the Head of the Department of Biochemistry at Lady Hardinge College, New Delhi, where she continued her research.
Her research on the nutritional benefits of ‘Neera’ (basically sap extracted from the inflorescence of various species of toddy palms) was inspired by a suggestion from Rajendra Prasad, the first President of Independent India.
This work earned her the prestigious Rashtrapati Award for demonstrating its practical application in meeting the needs of undernourished tribal children and pregnant women in a relatively inexpensive manner. Throughout her career, Ms Sohonie remained dedicated to improving the nutritional standards of the poorest sections of Indian society.
She became an Advisor to Bombay’s Aarey Milk Project and developed protocols that prevented milk from curdling. She wrote several papers on consumer protection and was a founding member of the Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI). Founded by nine women in 1966, CGSI was the earliest consumer protection organisation in India.
Dr Sohonie’s life and work are a testament to the power of perseverance, resilience against gender bias and remarkable contributions to the field of nutrition and consumer protection.
Her achievements have left an indelible mark on Indian science, and her legacy continues to inspire future generations.
Editor’s Note: Many South Asian heroes and heroines who have made legendary contributions to the world of science are in danger of being forgotten. If you are aware of any South Asian trailblazer, please email vineeta@indiannewslink.nz
Vineeta Rao is an Indian Newslink Reporter based in Auckland.
