Kamla Sohoni Wiki, Age, Husband, Family, Death, Biography and more

Kamla Sohoni (1911–1998) was an Indian biochemist, best known as the first Indian woman to earn a PhD. In a science field.

Wiki/Biography

Kamala Sohoni, born as Bhagwat, was born on Sunday, 18 June 1911 (age 87 at the time of death) in Indore, Indore State, British India (now region of Madhya Pradesh, India). His zodiac sign was Gemini. In 1933, Kamala completed her studies with a BSc degree in Chemistry and Physics from the University of Bombay and applied to the Indian Institute of Science for a research fellowship. However, her application was rejected by the then director and Nobel laureate Professor CV Raman on the grounds that women were not capable of doing research. Later, when they protested outside the office of Professor CV Raman, they were allowed entry.

Physical Appearance

Hair Color: Black

Eye colour: black

Family

parents and siblings

His father, Narayanrao Bhagwat, was a chemist who studied at the Tata Institute of Sciences in Bengaluru, which later became known as the Indian Institute of Science.

husband and children

In 1947, she married MV Sohoni, a professional in actuarial science, and then moved to Mumbai.

Kamala with her husband

The couple have two children.

Kamala with her children

other family members

His uncle, Madhavrao Bhagwat, was also a chemist who studied at the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.

livelihood

He traveled to the UK to study at Cambridge University and Frederick G. Hopkins joined Dr. Derek Richter in the laboratory. She was part of Newnham College, starting her studies in 1937, where she studied the Biological Natural Sciences Tripos. After Richter’s departure, he collaborated with Dr. Robin Hill on research on plant tissues. During his research on potatoes he identified the enzyme ‘cytochrome c’. This enzyme is important for the electron transport chain, a fundamental process for energy production in plants, humans, and animals. Kamala took up the role of Professor and Head of the Department of Biochemistry at Lady Hardinge Medical College, New Delhi. He then served as Assistant Director at the Nutrition Research Laboratory in Coonoor, where his work focused on the effects of vitamins. Later, she became a biochemistry professor at the Royal Institute of Science. Here, he and his team delved deeper into the nutritional value of legumes. During this phase, he conducted important research on primary food groups consumed mainly by economically challenged communities in India. On the recommendation of the then President of India Rajendra Prasad, Kamala began research on ‘Neera’, a sap obtained from various toddy trees. Their findings showed that Neera contained significant amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Iron. Interestingly, even when Neera was processed into palm jaggery and jaggery, these nutrients remained intact.

Other work

In addition to her achievements in science, Kamala played an important role as a consultant at the Aarey Milk Project factory in Bombay, where she devised a method of preventing milk from curdling. He also played an important role in establishing the Consumer Guidance Society of India (CGSI). While serving as its President in the year 1982-83, he wrote articles emphasizing consumer protection for the Society’s magazine ‘Keemat’. Started by a group of nine women in 1966, CGSI was India’s first consumer rights organization.

Major works

Kamla’s study focused on the effects of vitamins and the nutritional benefits of pulses, rice and specific food items that are part of the diet of malnourished adolescents and pregnant mothers from tribal groups. Introducing these as affordable diet enhancements led to significant health improvements. His discovery of the nutritional benefits of a palm tree called ‘Neera’ led to a recommendation from the then President Rajendra Prasad.

Awards, Honors, Achievements

• President’s Award for his research in ‘Neera’

Death

Kamala Sohoni died in 1998 after fainting at a felicitation ceremony organized by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in New Delhi.

Facts/General Knowledge

• Kamala Sohoni came from a family with deep roots in science. His father, Narayanrao Bhagwat, and his uncle, Madhavrao Bhagwat, were both accomplished chemists who studied at what was then known as the Tata Institute of Sciences in Bengaluru, which later became the famous Indian Institute of Science.

• When Kamala initially sought admission to the Indian Institute of Science, she faced rejection. In a non-violent protest or ‘Satyagraha’, she stood outside the office of Professor CV Raman. This act ultimately led to his admission into the institute, but with certain conditions:

1. She was not allowed to become a regular student.
2. His first year will be on probation.
3. His work will get official recognition only when Prof. Raman will be personally assured of its quality.
4. She was expected not to become a “distraction” to her male classmates.

• Accepting these conditions despite feeling humiliated, Kamala became the first female student of the institute in 1933.

• Reflecting on this, she later commented on the prevalent gender bias of the time, particularly highlighting the promiscuity of a Nobel laureate like CV Raman. However, due to her courage many more women were later admitted to the institution.

• After earning her PhD, Kamala, an ardent follower of Mahatma Gandhi, returned to India in 1939, eager to assist in the national independence movement.

• She was not only a brilliant researcher but also an active science communicator and has written several educational books. One of his major books is named “Aahar Gatha”, which is written in Marathi language.

• During his time at the University of Cambridge, he worked under Dr. Derrick Richter, who made the unique arrangement of providing him with a table during the day, which he himself used as a bed at night.

• Kamala won two scholarships during her educational journey. His first studies were at the Sir William Dwan Institute of Biochemistry in Cambridge, under Nobel Prize-winning Professor Frederick Hopkins, where he specialized in biological oxidation and reduction. His second American trip was a fellowship, which gave him the opportunity to interact with leading European scientists.

• Remarkably, Kamala completed her entire PhD, from research to thesis, in just 14 months, producing a 40-page document, which is considered shorter than a regular thesis.

• Many of his disciples, who also assisted him in his research, went on to become eminent scientists in their own right.

• Despite her scientific ability, Kamala faced considerable professional challenges, particularly due to gender bias. He believed that because of this his promotion to the post of Director of the Institute was delayed by four years. When she was eventually promoted to Director, Dr. Derrick Richter, her first mentor at Cambridge, commented on the significance of her appointment as the first female Director of such a prestigious science institution.

• Recognizing Kamala’s contributions and obstacles, Dr. Satyawati, the first woman Director General of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), organized a grand ceremony for her in New Delhi. She was 84 years old at that time.

• To honor the legacy of Kamala Sohoni, Google celebrated her 112th birthday on June 18, 2023, with a special Google Doodle.

Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn