Tamil woman the star of RISAT-1 launch.

[Shabz Nist]

Tamil Nadu woman stars in satellite launch

As India's first indigenously-developed Radar Imaging Satellite RISAT-1 nestled in its orbit hundreds of kilometres above the earth, here on terra firma, the woman from Tamil Nadu, responsible for the feat, too, turned into a star in her own right.

N. Valarmathi, ISRO's Bangalore-based Project Director for the space mission, was hounded by journalists and television crews, immediately after the post-launch press conference convened by the ISRO Chairman K. Radhakrishnan, and his colleagues heading various centres, concluded.

For the next hour or so, Ms. Valarmathi was cordoned off by a media sold on celebrating her rise from her humble Ariyalur origins, to head one of ISRO's flagship satellite launches. The quizzing covered various aspects, from the technological prowess of RISAT-1, to her school days in Ariyalur.

Ms. Valarmathi (52) deemed the successful launch of RISAT-1, a project almost a decade in the making, a “proud moment”.

RISAT-1 featured an array of new technologies, such as the Synthetic Aperture Radar that penetrates cloud cover and takes images even during the night.

“It's a unique satellite, and carries many new technologies like very high data handling systems, high storage devices, and modulators,” she said.

The woman scientist, who has a passion for communication systems, joined ISRO in 1984, after a master's degree in engineering from Anna University. Immediately, she immersed herself in several exciting satellite projects.

Ms. Valarmathi is the second woman to be the satellite project director at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) after T. K. Anuradha, who headed the communication satellite GSAT-12 programme, but she is the first woman to head a remote sensing satellite project.


The Hindu : Sci-Tech / Technology : Tamil Nadu woman stars in satellite launch


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It makes me so proud that women are actively involved in the scientific advancement of our nation. There are so many great women in our space and civilian industries.

 

[jayron]

It should be noted that most of the scientists working in Isro and DRDO usually are from remote villages and most of them don't have degrees from institutions like the IIt.

 

[Tamizhan]

It is not enough just women from some states shine and others are left behind.

India will not be considered developed unless each and every one of the 28 states are developed.

We want mooorrrrrrreeeee !!!!

 

[Shabz Nist]

It should be noted that most of the scientists working in Isro and DRDO usually are from remote villages and most of them don't have degrees from institutions like the IIt.

Actually; back then there weren't many IIT's in India. Top students went into the higher-up state colleges through state level entrance exams. Even today the situation is not so different. IIT graduates usually prefer going into private tech firms, business ventures or abroad......students from top tier state colleges make it to the "nation-building" government institutions.

 

[Shabz Nist]

It is not enough just women from states shine and others are left behind.

India will not be considered developed unless each and every one of the 28 states are developed.

We want mooorrrrrrreeeee !!!!

That's true. The women (and men ) we see shining in these fields are almost exclusively from the southern states like Tamil nadu, Kerala , karnataka and andhra pradesh. Very few north Indians make it to premier institutions such as the ISRO, DRDO and similar establishments. I would give anything to see a few north-eastern men and women in these institutions as well.

guys lets come down now, too much women participation is not even good. we need men like modi who dont give a dam abt the rest of world and work only for national interest. women always have a soft corner in ther mind and their involvement in space decisions too much, will slow down india in weaponising space.

Ridiculous ! You sound a lot like some Pakistanis here in this forum.

 

[Sashan]

Actually; back then there weren't many IIT's in India. Top students went into the higher-up state colleges through state level entrance exams. Even today the situation is not so different. IIT graduates usually prefer going into private tech firms, business ventures or abroad......students from top tier state colleges make it to the "nation-building" government institutions.

For the first highlighted portion, there were quite a few IITs if you talk about 1960s. For the second one, I know it is rare for IITians to go into "nation-building" but my father-in-law who held two masters from IIT in 1960s but went into Navy and retired from a senior level position, contributed heavily and was recognized by Govt of India for his contributions. I can't say more beyond this.

 

[Shabz Nist]

For the first highlighted portion, there were quite a few IITs if you talk about 1960s. For the second one, I know it is rare for IITians to go into "nation-building" but my father-in-law who held two masters from IIT in 1960s but went into Navy and retired from a senior level position, contributed heavily and was recognized by Govt of India for his contributions. I can't say more beyond this.

Not many. Anyhow; getting accepted into the IIT masters programs are fairly easy ( in comparison with the undergraduate program )....and yes most of the folks who pursue IIT masters usually go into nation building....or teaching in top-tier state government colleges.

 

[punit]

^ late indira gandhi despite all shortcomings had more will power than rest of her male colleagues combined together. Also google golda meir(israeli pm)

 

[LiberalAtheist]

its not the men behind the rockets/missiles its the women Tessy Thomas and this lady have done a good service to the country.

 

[Android]

its not the men behind the rockets/missiles its the women Tessy Thomas and this lady have done a good service to the country.

what about abdul kalam

 

[chitti]

It should be noted that most of the scientists working in Isro and DRDO usually are from remote villages and most of them don't have degrees from institutions like the IIt.

thats why they alwasy make remote sensing satellites. also a project director maybe only like a proj manager , i doubt if she can be given credit. rather she is like a non playing captain who goes and receives the trophy.

 

[lilaspr]

Its good to see women are now appointed at such a key strategic jobs. And then every man thinks we women can't keep secrets,,, and talk too much. Its a lessen for everyman to learn. Look at these two women at DRDO and ISRO... the managed to keep secrets....

 

[LiberalAtheist]

what about abdul kalam

he was our president and prior to the women the father of the Indian WMD program a great man indeed but today its the women that are leading the way

 

[Shabz Nist]

its not the men behind the rockets/missiles its the women Tessy Thomas and this lady have done a good service to the country.

Not just these two. There are plenty of women in key roles in our strategic and vital civilian ventures.Its just that not everyone gets to be in the limelight.

 

[Su-11]

guys lets come down now, too much women participation is not even good. we need men like modi who dont give a dam abt the rest of world and work only for national interest. women always have a soft corner in ther mind and their involvement in space decisions too much, will slow down india in weaponising space.

True! Very True! There are exceptions to this rule, but as the word says, exceptions are exceptions, and exceptions exist because of the rule.