NEW DELHI, March 8 : To celebrate International Women’s Day in the 75th year of India’s independence, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh today released book containing 75 success stories of Indian Women Scientists.
Speaking on the occasion, the Union Minister said that Women participation in science is key to achieve Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a 5 trillion Dollar Economy by 2025-26.
At an event organised by the Department of Science & Technology (DST) on the theme “Women Empowerment through Science and Technology” to mark the International Women’s Day, Dr Jitendra Singh said that women scientists have carved a niche for themselves in Space, Nuclear Science, Drone and Nano-technology and added that many of the big scientific projects including that of Gaganyaan are being led by women scientists. He said, one of the key pillars of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s New India is the success story of women innovators in the country.
Dr Jitendra Singh announced three important programmes under Women in Science & Engineering (WISE)-KIRAN Scheme to celebrate the International Women’s Day.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, the first one namely Industrial Research Fellowship for Women will provide opportunity to young women researchers to work in the industry for short and long duration. The programme will have two components viz. Industrial Internship-6 month internship in industry for girls who have submitted their Ph. D thesis and Industrial Fellowship –3 years fellowship to work in industry for women scientists who have Ph.D./M.Tech/M.Pharm or equivalent degree. This new programme will be a one time grant for women scientists.
Similarly, the Senior Women Scientists Fellowship programme is proposed to provide dignity to senior women scientists who are performing well in research but are not in regular employment due to various circumstances. The programme will cater senior women scientists in age group of 45-60 years who have completed at least 2 independent research projects and have excellent track record. Under this programme, 5 years’ projects will be given to women scientists along with fellowship and other research grant. The projects will be given in following 6 subject areas of Physical and Mathematical Science, Chemical Science, Life Science, Earth & Atmospheric Science, Engineering & Technology, Science & Technology for Society.
The Minister said that the third programme of Overseas Fellowship for Women will provide exposure to research scholars and young women scientists to upgrade their skills in various countries. The programme will serve Ph. D scholars of age group 21-35 years and young faculty of age group 27-45 years through its two components viz. Women Overseas Student Internship and Women Overseas Fellowship respectively. This 3-6 months overseas visit will include monthly stipend, return air fare, health insurance, contingency etc.
Dr Jitendra Singh said after coming to power in 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s every major flagship programme has pro-people, pro-poor and pro-women dimensions. He pointed out that all the women welfare schemes rolled out after 2014 have very strong scientific basis, be it Swachh Bharat Mission to address the challenges of women dignity and health hygiene or that of Ujjawala free gas cylinders to fight the menace of toxic smoke impairing lungs of rural women folk. The Minister said that transformational changes are happening and women must become equal partner in the Nation Building Goal.
Dr Jitendra Singh also released a book on “75 Success Stories” from Women Scientists Scheme of the Department of Science and Technology. Similarly, “75 at 75” is a publication celebrating the 75 year old women scientists at 75th Year of India’s Independence. The Minister said that 75 best Start-ups at 75 will celebrate the success stories of first generation scientists and technocrats.
Many of the women achievers today joined the Women’s Day celebrations and some of them narrated their struggle and acknowledged the help received by DST to add new feathers in their career.
Dr Jitendra Singh announced that Regional Conclaves for Start-ups are being planned from the second half of this year to get the best synergistic outcome. Calling for searching, mentoring and sustaining the active talent pool, the Minister said that those who have 25 years of active career ahead will take India at top notch league in 2047, when we will celebrate 100 years of our Independence.
The Minister launched the “Women Empowerment Atlas” and also released a film on “Women in Science and Technology” on the occasion.
Dr.Shekhar C Mande, Secretary, DSIR, Dr S. Chandrasekhar, Secretary, DST Dr Neeta Verma, DG, NIC and other senior officials of the DST and CSIR joined the celebrations.
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