Central Idea

On June 18, the Google Doodle commemorated Kamala Sohonie on her 112th birth anniversary.
Kamala Sohonie, the first Indian woman to earn a PhD in a scientific discipline, made significant contributions in the field of nutrition and fought against malnutrition among tribal children.
Despite facing gender bias, including from Nobel laureate CV Raman, Sohonie left a lasting impact on Indian science.

Who was Kamala Sohonie?

Kamala Sohonie (nee Bhagvat) was born on June 18, 1911, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
Her father and uncle were chemists who had studied at the Tata Institute of Sciences (now IISc, Bengaluru).
Sohonie graduated in 1933 with a BSc degree in Chemistry and Physics from Bombay University, topping the merit list.

Sohonie faced rejection from CV Raman when she applied for an MSc degree at IISc.
Determined, she confronted Raman and challenged him to allow her admission.
Raman reluctantly agreed but imposed several conditions, including probation and restrictions on her status as a student.

Sohonie completed her course with distinction and secured admission to Cambridge University, where she completed her PhD in just 14 months.
Her research focused on potatoes, leading to the discovery of the enzyme ‘Cytochrome C’ and its role in cellular respiration.
Returning to India, Sohonie served as the head of the Department of Biochemistry at Lady Hardinge College, New Delhi.
She worked at the Nutrition Research Lab, Coonoor, and the Royal Institute of Science in Mumbai, studying various food items to identify their nutrients.

Sohonie’s notable work revolved around ‘neera,’ a palm extract drink recommended by Dr. Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President.
She demonstrated that ‘neera’ was a rich source of Vitamin C and other nutrients, making it beneficial for the health of malnourished tribal children and pregnant women.
Sohonie also collaborated with the Aarey Milk project to improve milk quality.
Beyond her scientific endeavors, she played a vital role as a founding member of the Consumer Guidance Society.

In 1947, Sohonie married MV Sohonie, an actuary, and the couple resided in Mumbai.
Kamala Sohonie’s accomplishments broke barriers and inspired future generations of women in science.
Her resilience against gender bias and remarkable contributions to nutrition and consumer protection remain an enduring legacy.