E.K. Janaki Ammal

In news: The book, E. K. Janaki Ammal: Life and Scientific Contributions was released in English by Nirmala James, on the scientist’s 125th birth anniversary.

• It is the third book by Ms. James. The first two were in Malayalam.

About:

• India’s first woman botanist
• Born on November 4, 1897, in Kerela

Achievements:

• Notable work in the areas of cytogenetics and plant breeding.
• Carried out important work on sugarcane, brinjal and magnolias.
• Collaborated with C. D. Darlington to bring out the chromosome atlas of cultivated crops and their wild relatives
• She received the Padma Shri in 1977
• In the 1930s, she had taught botany in the Maharaja’s College of Science, Thiruvananthapuram
• Appointed a member of the Travancore Public Recruitment Committee.
• She strongly raised her voice for women, arguing that married women should not be disqualified from entering or continuing in service.
• Fulfilled her professional dreams, in spite of the gender and caste barriers (Thiya family) of her time.
• Accomplished all this in an era when women’s education was not considered important.

Source: The Hindu