THIS forgotten genius fought CV Raman, became India’s first woman PhD degree holder, could have become first Indian woman to win Nobel Prize but didn’t due too…
Kamala Sohonie, India’s first female PhD in science, broke barriers in the 1930s when CV Raman denied her admission to IISc. Her courage led to the involvement of women in Indian science. From pioneering nutritional research on Neera to leading institutions, it has redefined equity in academia.
In 1911, a girl named Kamala Sohonie was born in the city of Indore to a family where science was a way of life. His father Narayanarao Bhagvat and uncle Madhavrao Bhagvat were among the first Indians to study at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore. But despite her scientific heritage, Kamala was about to face the harsh realities of the male-dominated academic world.
From an early age, Kamala developed an interest in chemistry, performing experiments in her father’s small home laboratory. His fascination with beakers and bubbling mixtures sparked a passion that would define his life. After excelling at Bombay University, where he was at the top of his class in chemistry in 1933, he dreamed of joining IISc, India’s most prestigious scientific institute.
The IISc Rejection That Sparked a Revolution
Kamala’s application to IISc was rejected by none other than India’s Nobel Prize-winning physicist CV Raman, who believed that women were unfit for serious scientific work. The decision didn’t sit well with him. In a bold move for a young woman in the 1930s, Kamala confronted Raman directly and demanded an explanation.
His courage led to a compromise; Admitted on a ‘probationary’ basis, he was forced to work under restrictive conditions and prove his ability. Kamala accepted the challenge. Her genius shined through and within a year her outstanding research forced IISc to remove the gender barrier and allow women full access to programmes.
From IISc to Cambridge: Breaking Global Barriers
In 1937, Kamala won a scholarship to the University of Cambridge, where, under the supervision of Derek Richter, she conducted pioneering research on enzymes such as Cytochrome C, which were vital to the understanding of cellular respiration. Two years later, she became the first Indian woman to receive a doctorate in science; This was a turning point for Indian women that transcended global boundaries.
Research for the People: Neera Revolution
Returning to India, Kamala turned her attention to public health. At the Nutrition Research Laboratory in Coonoor, he studied Neera, a sweet extract from palm trees, and discovered its rich nutritional content, especially iron and vitamin C. Their findings influenced early nutrition programs in independent India, laying the foundation for initiatives such as the Midday Meal Scheme.
Why didn’t he win the Nobel Peace Prize?
Kamala Sohonie did not win the Nobel Prize; This was not because he lacked intelligence, but because the system he lived in was not designed to recognize women, Indians, or socially driven science. Her legacy lies not in the medals or ceremonies, but in the doors she opened and the women scientists she inspired.
Legacy of a Pioneer
Kamala’s quiet determination transformed Indian science. As Director of the Royal Institute of Science, Mumbai, she advocated equal opportunities for women in research and education. She rejected labels such as ‘first female scientist’ and emphasized that her fight was for equality, not recognition.
When Kamala Sohonie passed away in 1998, she left behind no statues or institutions bearing her name, but her legacy lived on through every woman who dared to enter the laboratory without apology. By opening doors that had been closed for a long time, he proved that genius knows no gender.
His story is a reminder that progress often begins with a single voice saying, ‘Let me in.’
