Author: Nandini Rastogi
An altercation can leave one so drained. Gayatri was not new to these heated exchange of arguments. Yet the fatigue almost always set in. Ironically, it was also a humbling experience. Silently, she offered tribute and gratitude to all those women in the history who did not have it easy. To carve a place for themselves especially in the field of science empowerment. Emancipation of women sounds such shallow promise when a simple idea cannot be even considered reason being, it was floated by a woman. Gayatri Kumar is a young scientist at ISRO, India’s premier space agency. Under the current leadership, ISRO has made progress by leaps and bounds.
The funds allocated to the agency saw manyfold rise. For the first time the agency was launching
satellites for smaller countries that suited their budget. Gayatri believed that she was fortunate to be living
in times that would witness history in making.
“I feel I have arrived”, she said to herself when three years back she was transferred to the clandestine
mission to look for extraterrestrial life in space, she was thrilled. So far, handful countries have
endeavoured to look for life or possibility of life in the outer space. For the very first time, India has
ventured into the mission of finding life in the outer space. This was a highly hush-hush mission and very
few people were party to its existence. Gayatri was the only female on board and for obvious reasons it
was a matter of great pride. Her multiple degrees was the cogent reason.
Her family including her husband and daughter knew that she worked in the administrative department of
the agency and was liasioning between the agency and the government.
In one of the meetings with the top leader-
The director of the agency apprised the leader with the progress. He also suggested that if they collaborate
with the NASA and ROSCOSMOS they could make faster developments. In few words, the leader made
it clear that they would go solo and not depend on any other agency. And funds should not be a constraint
anymore.
From last three years, she has been working every working minute. At times, she did not come back home
for days. With funds at their disposal, there was an urgency to make headway. India wanted to come up
with some breakthrough to make its presence felt in this terrain
How many male counterparts would even bother about their children’s unit tests or class tests? How many
fathers turn up for PTMS and seriously pay heed to the feedback given by the teacher? How many fathers
would sit down with their kids to help them with projects, assignments and homeworks. It is good to have
role models and new emerging faces of modern women empowerment, but we cannot ignore the fact that
the new age woman is burdened with conventional roles and new roles.
Gayatri never shied away from sharing her radical viewpoints. She was known for her unconventional
theories and views. Obviously,it won more foes than friends.
“The fundamental premise of our understanding of life is wrong.” she said to the team.
“What does that mean?” said the scientist turned administrator Mr. Nageshwar.
“Our understanding of life is generic we believe what we see or experience. Since, life on earth sustains on oxygen, we believe that life everywhere would require oxygen.” she said “Elaborate Kumar”, said the director.
“Sir, what if there is some planet where there is life supported by carbon dioxide or nitrogen or hydrogen.
What if oxygen is not required at all”, she said.
“So what has been your research on this?” asked a senior scientist
“I have been studying and researching on it. There is just about the possibility that this hypothesis might
work. I have been working on Irish Moss and though it is premature to claim but it does survive in
deficiency of oxygen.”, said Gayatri
“I would like to see the progress made so far with all the possibilities”, the director said. He further added,
“No promises made but it’s going to be a gigantum task to convince the higher ups.”
Gayatri was already processing the words and its wider interpretation. This was no less than a Eureka
moment for her.
In a high up meeting directly involving the top leader-
“Your claims are not matched by the research progress and data Dr. Gayatri.”
“Yes Sir because such researches take time in generating concrete data. This requires time and patience”,
said Gayatri.
“We have neither of that. We need some breakthrough. You must be aware that many developed countries
have started the mission to colonize the planets. I want our great country to be a part of this endeavour
too. It is also a step towards preservation of human life said the leader.
“Yes Sir, we all are in agreement with your vision. But Dr. Gayatri’s hypothesis is very premature and if
we start working in the direction she is pointing at, we may digress from what we have been doing so far.
This may also result in squandering funds that we cannot afford to do so”, said the director.
Gayatri felt her cheeks burning. “Were we not on the same page?” She asked silently.
“Dr Raghavan, in my life I have tried to learn something about human nature. This is something that
almost never fails a person in their life. Do you know what it is?”, asked the leader. Obviously, the
answer was never sought nor required.
The leader continued, “The thing that never fails one is conviction that you have for your work. I have a
feeling that Dr. Gayatri has the conviction in her faith. On a lighter note I have tremendous regards for the
sixth sense that females possess. They are good at it.”
The mood lightened in the room. Smiles on the faces followed by gentle laughter
The top leader looked straight into Gayatri’s eyes. There was no smile or amusement in them. A cold stare
that sent the shiver in the spine of Gayatri.
“Dr Gayatri, I approve your research. You will be given all the assistance that you require. I want results”,
he said sternly
Too overwhelmed for words, Gayatri simply nodded.
Venue: Rashtrapati Bhavan
Time: 4:00 PM
Event: National Award Ceremony 2022
Next we have a young scientist whose contribution in the field of space science has been extraordinary.
Her contribution has enabled the country to be a front runner in space sciences. I call up upon Dr. Gayatri
Kumar, Padma Vibhushan awardee.
Gayatri dressed in a white and red silk sari had expressions of contentment on her face. She found her
way to the president to receive the honour that was being bestowed upon her.