Kamala Sohonie (18 June 1911 – 28 June 1998) achieved several remarkable milestones as an Indian biochemist. Notably, in 1939, she became the first woman to gain admission to the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Each year on 28th February, we commemorate National Science Day to honor the significant contribution made by Kamala Sohonie and her student, who jointly announced the groundbreaking discovery of Raman scattering in 1928. You can discover the entire Kamala Sohonie biography within this article.

Kamala Sohonie Biography

During a period when women in India had limited representation in the field of science, Kamala Sohonie achieved an extraordinary feat. Her pioneering work on Neera, an economical dietary supplement derived from palm nectar, earned her the esteemed Rashtrapati Award.

Family

Her father, Narayanarao Bhagvat, as well as her uncle, Madhavrao Bhagvat, were chemists and alumni of the erstwhile Tata Institute of Sciences (which later changed its name to the Indian Institute of Science). Her mother’s name was Mrs. Bhagvat.

Husband & Children

In 1947, Kamala Sohonie married M.V. Sohonie, an actuary, and subsequently relocated to Mumbai. Their union marked the coming together of two exceptional intellects, as both Kamala and Madhav possessed brilliant minds. Their sons, Anil (born in April 1950) and Jayant (born in May 1951), grew up with deep admiration for their parents and the remarkable accomplishments they had achieved.

Age

Dr. Kamala Sohonie was born in Indore, Madhya Pradesh on June 18, 1911. At the death time, she was 87 years old.

Education

After successfully completing her Bachelor of Science degree in physics and chemistry from Bombay University (now The University of Mumbai), Kamala Sohonie encountered challenging circumstances during her initial year. The director of the university held reservations regarding women’s capabilities in the field of science. However, Kamala Sohonie, undeterred, showcased her exceptional skills and expertise, eventually gaining permission to pursue her research at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). Her impressive performance left a lasting impact on the director, leading to a shift in IISc’s stance on admitting women into their programs. Within a span of just 14 months, Kamala Sohonie completed her thesis on the chosen subject, ultimately earning her Ph.D.

Death

Kamala Sohonie Death- Kamala Sohonie passed away in 1998, not long after collapsing during an Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) function in New Delhi.

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Career

Throughout her research career, Kamala Sohonie dedicated her efforts to the study of proteins found in legumes and their significant role in nutrition. Unfortunately, due to prevailing gender bias within the scientific community, her appointment as the Director of the Institute faced a delay of approximately four years. However, in 1936, she successfully obtained her master’s degree and published her thesis on this subject. It was upon the advice of Rajendra Prasad, the then-President of India, that Kamala embarked on her work related to “Neera.” This nutritious beverage, developed by Kamala, proved to be highly effective in improving the health conditions of malnourished children and expectant mothers. Through her research, Kamala discovered substantial amounts of essential nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron in Neera, demonstrating their ability to withstand the concentration process involved in its production.

Awards

Sohonie received the Rashtrapati Award for her contributions to science, in addition to becoming the first female director of the Royal Institute of Science in Bombay.

Net Worth

According to the biography of Kamala Sohonie on Save Daughters, the estimated net worth of the American poet Kamala Sohonie ranged from $1 to $5 million.

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