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Dr. Kamal Ranadive was a pioneer in the field of cancer research and women's and children's healthcare in tribal areas, and the founder of Indian Women Scientists' Association (IWSA), that continues to support women in India's scientific and technology fields.
Dr. Kamal Ranadive was a pioneer in the field of cancer research and women’s and children’s healthcare in tribal areas, and the founder of Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA), that continues to support women in India’s scientific and technology fields.
Yesterday’s Google doodle honoured Dr. Kamal Ranadive, on the occasion of her 104th birthday.
The doodle has been designed by India-based illustrator and art director Ibrahim Rayintakath and depicts Dr Ranadive in a blue coat looking through a microscope.
Dr Kamal Ranadive is most recognised for her ground-breaking discovery in cancer research. She was the first recipient of the silver jubilee research award for her phenomenal contributions to the field of cancer research and in 1982, she was given the Padma Bhushan for services to medicine.
Kamal was born in Pune on 8 November 1917, during the times when girls were deprived of education and were married off at a very young age, Born Kamal Samarth, she was determined to study and complete her education. She studied Botany and Zoology at Fergusson College and in 1943 she moved to the Agriculture College at Pune, where she worked on the ‘Cytogenetics of Annonaceae’ for her master’s degree.
She earned her doctorate from Bombay University and she was awarded a postdoctoral research fellowship to study tissue culture techniques in 1949. Kamal returned to India after her fellowship and re-joined the ICRC (Indian Cancer Research Centre) as a Senior Research Officer. At ICRC, her crucial discovery in the Experimental Biology Laboratory paved way for India’s first Tissue Culture Laboratory.
Randive’s remarkable accomplishments have paved the way for generations of Indian women to turn their dreams in science and technology into reality. She was a trailblazer who went on to become one of the key figures in the cancer research especially in an era when few Indian girls could dream of schooling since they had little choice but to limit themselves to being housewives.
And Dr Randive’s ground-breaking ascent did not stop there, Kamal and her fellow scientist acknowledged the need to establish organisations for less privileged women so the women could pursue their career in science. Kamal had a distinct feeling that they wouldn’t be able to defy the patriarchal standards unless they put together a group of like-minded female scientists. And thus in the year 1973 Dr Randive along with her 11 colleagues established Indian Women Scientists’ Association (IWSA) where she strived to improve the health of tribal women and children.
IWSA promoted women’s scientific achievements by understanding women’s scientific issues and acting as a voice for women in science and technology. In India, the IWSA now has 11 branches and offers scholarships and childcare to women in science. Ranadive’s dedication to women’s health and education has impacted several women to pursue their career in science.
Even during her final years, she only worked for the betterment of tribal women and children.
She served as the ICRC’s acting Director from 1966 to 1970.She supervised a team of biologists and served as an inspiring teacher to them. As a result of this, she went on to develop new research units in carcinogenesis, cell biology, and immunology.
Her research on the pathophysiology of cancer using animal models led to a better understanding of the causes of leukaemia, breast cancer, and oesophageal cancer. Not only that, she was one of the first scientist to notice the link between cancer susceptibility and the connection of hormones. Her research on leprosy bacteria eventually led to the development of a leprosy vaccine. She has produced nearly 200 scientific research publications on cancer and leprosy during her career.
Even after her retirement, Kamal worked with Satya Niketan, a non-profit organisation to understand the nutritional status of tribal children in the Akola taluka of Ahmednagar, Maharashtra.
Dr. Kamal Ranadive, who valiantly made several ground-breaking discoveries, played a leading role in women’s and children’s healthcare in tribal areas, and founded a crucial organisation that continues to support women in India’s scientific and technology fields. Her outstanding scholarly and social accomplishments continues to inspire several women.
Image source: Indian Academy of Sciences and Google Doodle
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Neena was the sole caregiver of Amma and though one would think that Amma was dependent on her, Neena felt otherwise.
Neena inhaled the aroma that emanated from the pan and took a deep breath. The aroma of cumin interspersed with butter transported her back to the modest kitchen in her native village. She could picture her father standing in the kitchen wearing his white crisp kurta as he made delectable concoctions for his only daughter.
Neena grew up in a home where both her parents worked together in tandem to keep the house up and running. She had a blissful childhood in her modest two-room house. The house was small but every nook and cranny gave her memories of a lifetime. Neena’s young heart imagined that her life would follow the same cheerful course. But how wrong she was!
When she was sixteen, the catastrophic clutches of destiny snatched away her parents. They passed away in a road accident and Neena was devastated. Relatives thronged her now gloomy house and soon it was decided that she should be married off.
Women today don’t want to be in a partnership that complicates their lives further. They need an equal partner with whom they can figure out life as a team, playing by each other’s strengths.
We all are familiar with that one annoying aunty who is more interested in our marital status than in the dessert counter at a wedding. But these aunties have somehow become obsolete now. Now they are replaced by men we have in our lives. Friends, family, and even work colleagues. It’s the men who are worried about why we are not saying yes to one among their clans. What is wrong with us? Aren’t we scared of dying alone? Like them?
A recent interaction with a guy friend of mine turned sour when he lectured me about how I would regret not getting married at the right time. He lectured that every event in our lives needs to be completed within a certain timeframe set by society else we are doomed. I wasn’t angry. I was just disappointed to realize that annoying aunties are rapidly doubling in our society. And they don’t just appear at weddings or family functions anymore. They are everywhere. They are the real pandemic.
Let’s examine this a little closer.
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