Kamala Sohonie Biography 
Kamala Sohonie is an Indian scientist and biochemist who became the first Indian woman to receive a PhD in a scientific discipline. She received the doctorate in the year 1939 from Indian Institute of Science. Interestingly her application was first turned down by the then-Director and Nobel Laureate Prof. C V Raman on grounds that women were not considered competent enough to pursue research. She held a protest outside the scientist’s house till she was given admission, but with certain conditions. It created history when a woman candidate was first admitted to institute for scientific research, which she completed successfully.
Her birth name is Kamala Bhagvat. She was born on 14 September 1912 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her father, Narayanarao Bhagvat and uncle Madhavrao Bhagvat, were chemists and alumni of Indian Institute of Science, where Kamala too completed her research work years later. As she belonged to a well-educated family which supported education for female members, she completed her graduation in Chemistry from Bombay University, following which she applied for a research fellowship at Indian Institute of Science, which was then known as Tata Institute of Sciences.
Initially Nobel Laureate Prof. C V Raman, who served as the director of institute then, rejected her application on grounds that a female is not considered competent enough to pursue research. But he has to finally give in following the protest from Kamala’s side. She was given admission to the institute but with three conditions. Though she received many humiliations during her research work, with three conditions by Nobel laureate - not allowed as a regular student for first year, had to work at night and not to give distraction to male students, she completed her research fellowship.
Her attitude changed the mindset of C. V. Raman who later admitted female candidates to the institute. She completed her MSc degree with distinction in 1936. She was then invited to UK's Cambridge University to work under Dr. Derek Richter in the Frederick G. Hopkins laboratory. She submitted her thesis in 14 months and was awarded PhD. She returned to India in 1939.
Published: September 29, 2018
Updated: September 29, 2018
