Live Stream: Rocket scientists aren’t always men as Dakshayani proves

One of the episodes of the My Indian Life podcast series hosted by Kalki features a woman scientist, whose exemplary work reflects the capabilities and competencies of those, who, in their own inimitable ways, have been breaking the glass ceiling. Like many Indian women, Dakshayani is an early riser. After discharging her domestic duties, she sets off for ISRO, which employs 15 per cent women scientists. Once at work, her focus is unwavering. Her interest, commitment and diligence to perform intricate calculations over the years have enabled her to be at the frontier of India’s big-ticket space missions –the Mangalyaan or Mars mission that gave the country a change to reach out into the unknown, was one of them.

Dakshayani is a self-made woman on all counts. She became an engineer from a town which previously had only one female engineer. And she was a topper academically, who dared to apply to ISRO, while still being a college teacher. Her constant hunger for expertise is exemplified in her all-night routines learning to programme, despite not having seen a computer in its hey days. 

Orbital dynamics and modelling paths that would bring about accurate predictions in the context of the space missions, became part of her everyday lingo. Imagine, being responsible for keeping a satellite outside the gravitational pull of Mars. Now consider, waiting for two years to analyse the data that would keep such missions on track – and the anxiety that precedes the kick of success.

Ambition alone is not enough; it must be backed by sincere efforts directed towards a purpose. And, that is where this scientist in her 50s stands out. After being part of the Mars mission, her quest has not ended. Though she is close to retirement, she is as curious as she was when she first started. Her new mission is to find a way to “live” in that red planet. 

Adding to the ISRO narrative, Gautam Narasimha, a decorated scientist and an octogenarian colleague of Dakshayani says, “ISRO is gender-bias free organisation where “fairly, traditional, and culturally oriented” women, clad in saris, sporting kumkum, have made their mark. …(sic) fascinating combination of a life which has not abandoned traditional, cultural values but at the same time adjusted itself to the demands of science and technology. This is how he rates the efforts of women scientists such as Dakshayani. Women like her have worked shoulder to shoulder with fellow male colleagues, punching 16-18 hours days, without absence from work till the project Mangalyaan lifted off successfully. 

Title: ‘Kalki Presents: My Indian Life’

Synopsis: From India to Mars, how a leap of faith became a journey into space. Actress Kalki Koechlin meets rocket scientist BP Dakshayani, from Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), who programmed a satellite on its mission to the red planet..

source: bbc.co.uk/radio/play/p06jv110