ThinkHer

Many articles in this blog express frustration over how women in science, like Rosalind Franklin, were sidelined and disregarded. I’ve been told that some of my writing carries too much rage and negativity. But T.K. Radha’s story is a partial exception—one of collaboration in science, regardless of gender. Born in Kerala at a time when higher education for women was rare, Radha defied societal expectations to pursue physics. While her sisters were expected to marry early, her family—initially hesitant—eventually supported her education. Excelling in mathematics, she outperformed both her father and brother in academic scores, yet her passion lay in physics. With limited opportunities for women in physics, Presidency College, Madras—the same institution where her father had studied—was her only option. Her mother, wary of sending her daughter to a co-educational institution, resisted the decision, fearing for her safety in a male-dominated environment. It was Radha’s father who ultimate...

Indian mythology is replete with numerous stories of the power and strength of women protagonists. Therefore, it is common to see the worship of goddesses and a deep reverence for female deities through grand rituals and festivals. Sadly, this symbolic power in the religious realm does not translate into respect and reverence for women in society [1]. This contradiction raises a crucial question: If female power is so deeply ingrained in cultural narratives, why does patriarchy continue to dominate? This contradiction led me to explore whether a matriarchal structure ever existed in India.  There is no conclusive answer to this, mostly because matriarchy is associated with early history, and evidence of it having existed and preceded patriarchy is uncertain.  The idea that patriarchy was a natural progression from early social structures has been increasingly challenged by feminist scholars, who argue that past societies where women may have held significant power have been er...

When you pick up the memoir of a Nobel Prize-winning scientist detailing a groundbreaking discovery, you expect to be inspired. You anticipate admiration for the brilliance and perseverance of those involved. What you don’t expect is to finish the book with a deep sense of anger and resentment toward its author. Yet that’s exactly what happened when I read ' The Double Helix'  by James Watson, his account of the discovery of DNA’s structure. Instead of inspiration, I was left with a heavy heart for Rosalind Franklin, who should have been known as a co-discoverer along with Maurice Wilkins, Watson, and Francis Crick.   Rosalind Franklin  © Novartis Foundation Born on July 25, 1920, in Notting Hill, London, Rosalind Franklin grew up in an affluent Anglo-Jewish family that valued education for both men and women. A brilliant and independent child, she excelled at St. Paul’s Girls’ School, where she developed a strong passion for science. She went on to study chemistry a...

An average woman (or a menstruating person) has periods approximately 500 times over a lifetime, that is almost seven years of their life, and 29 liters of blood [1]. Periods are such an ingrained reality of all of our experience, and yet we are not sure how it is supposed to be. The experience varies widely from person to person. Bleeding can last anywhere from three to seven days, with flow ranging from light spotting to heavy loss exceeding 80ml (which can be considered menorrhagia). Symptoms like cramps, bloating, and fatigue also differ significantly, leaving many to question what constitutes a “normal” period. Despite this variability, society has normalized period pain (dysmenorrhea), with many dismissing severe discomfort as an unavoidable part of womanhood—even when it disrupts daily activities like work or school. This dismissive attitude often leads to underdiagnosed conditions, such as endometriosis or polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), perpetuating stigma and delaying neces...

In my academic years, I often found myself in heated discussions with colleagues about the paradoxical nature of scientific pursuit. We would marvel at how some of our peers, despite their rigorous training in science, held onto deeply irrational biases—especially against women and marginalized groups. “ What’s the point of doing science if you can’t rise above prejudice? ” we would ask. But the reality is that science and scientific training do not exist in a vacuum. It is shaped by the social and political biases of its time, and scientists, no matter how brilliant, are not immune to these influences. This realization hit me hardest when I learned about Kamala Sohonie’s encounter with the legendary C.V. Raman.   During my PhD, I used Raman spectroscopy as the primary tool to study phase transitions in condensed matter systems. My thesis introduction paid homage to his groundbreaking ideas and his legacy as an experimentalist. So, it was both shocking and ...

The Nobel Prizes hold the status of being one of the most prestigious awards in the world. However, they have their share of controversies. There have been instances of personal negative opinions, political motives, Eurocentrism, and subjective selections, systematically leading to the exclusion of deserving scientists. Lise Meitner is one such scientist.  Born in 1878 (11  years before Adolf Hitler was born) to a Jewish lawyer, Philipp Meitner, and his wife Hedwig, Lise Meitner was a curious young kid. It is said that she always had a notebook under her pillow to note down her scientific research. Her passion for science was understood and supported by her parents. She privately studied physics, since during that time women were not admitted to public institutions. In 1905 she became the second woman to earn a doctoral degree from the university of Vienna.  After a doctoral degree her best local job prospect was to work in a gas lamp factory, which didn't appeal to her. ...

I recently attended a Richard Bona concert with my partner, who is an avid fan. The performance was incredible, and afterward, Bona was signing t-shirts outside the hall. My partner, eager to meet him, rushed to the front of the line but froze in awe when it was finally his turn. As he hesitated, others—mainly women and Black men—pushed past him to get their moment with the musician. I pushed him forward, determined not to let him miss his chance. This moment made me reflect on why some people push through while others wait. I realized that those who wait often do so because they are accustomed to receiving opportunities without having to assert themselves—a privilege not everyone shares. Meanwhile, others (except the entitled opportunists) must push their way through to claim their chances. I am someone who pushes through crowded spaces, demands action, speaks up, and insists on being heard. I get irritated when asked to be softer or quieter, and I wonder if this assertiveness stems f...