Mann Ki Baat: PM Highlights ‘Nari Shakti’, Lauds Odia Scientist Jyotirmayee Mohanty

New Delhi/ Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded Odia scientist Jyotirmayee Mohanty, who is the first from the country to receive IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry) 2023 Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, during the 99th Episode of ‘Mann Ki Baat’ on Sunday.

Celebrating ‘Nari Shakti’ during Navratri, which began on March 22, PM Modi said that women had a big role in India emerging from a new perspective. “You must have seen Asia’s first female loco pilot Surekha Yadav on social media. She has become the first woman loco pilot of Vande Bharat Express as well. This month, producer Guneet Monga and director Kartiki Gonsalves brought laurels to the country by winning an Oscar for their documentary, ‘The Elephant Whisperers’. Jyotirmayee Mohanty, scientist of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, has also notched another achievement for the country. She has received a special award from IUPAC in the field of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering,” he said.

Daughter of renowned paediatrician Dr Baikuntnath Patra of Chauliaganj in Cuttack, Jyotirmayee is married to Rasmiranjan Mohanty, also a scientist and native of Titira village under Balikuda block in Jagatsinghpur.

Also Read: Jyotirmayee Mohanty First Woman Scientist From India To Get IUPAC Award

The PM also mentioned about India’s Under-19 women’s cricket team creating history by winning the T-20 World Cup earlier this year. “If you look at politics, a new beginning has taken place in Nagaland. For the first time in 75 years, two women legislators have reached the Vidhan Sabha from the state and one of them has also been made a minister,” he added.

He spoke about meeting the ‘brave daughters’, who went to help the people of Turkey as a part of the NDRF contingent after the devastating earthquake. “Their courage and skills are being praised all over the world. India has also deployed a women-only platoon in the Peacekeeping Force under the UN Mission.”

The PM further said that the daughters of the country are raising the flag of their bravery in all the three armed forces. “Group Captain Shalija Dhami has become the first woman Air Force officer to get a Command Appointment in a Combat Unit. She has a flying experience of about 3000 hours. Similarly, brave heart Captain Shiva Chauhan of the Indian Army has become the first woman officer to be posted at Siachen. Shiva will be stationed for three months in Siachen where the temperature drops to minus sixty (-60) degrees,” he added.