DRDO appoints J Manjula as its first woman Director General

Defence Research  and Development Organisation (DRDO) has appointed J Manjula, an outstanding scientist as its first woman Director General, Electronics and Communication Systems cluster.

DRDO is India’s premier agency for military research and development. Her major role will involve  researching and analysing strategies for building, developing ,resourcing and implementing advanced military technologies. “It’s a very responsible position and a great opportunity that DRDO has provided me. I hope this inspires more women to take up science,” she said while assuming her position on Wednesday reports TOI.

Incidentally, she was also the first woman Director of DRDO’s Defence Avionics Research Establishment (DARE) ,Bengaluru since 2014. Fighting odds, she managed to earn herself a  testimony for her relentless efforts in the area of integrated electronic warfare at the Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Hyderabad since 1987.

• Worked with the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd, Hyderabad before joining DLRL in 1987.

• Designed fast signal acquisition receivers, high power RF systems, responsive jammers, controller software for various system in Army, Navy Air Force and Paramilitary.

• Has received DRDO award for ‘Performance Excellence’ and ‘Scientist of the Year 2011’.

• Recipient of India Today Woman Summit Award, 2014

Manjula who is an alumni from the Osmania University has seen a trouble childhood. Due to financial constraint she was unable to pursue mathematics which interested her the most. However, with parental support and her determination she has now become an inspiration to many woman who aspires to become a scientist.

However, woman continue to struggle to find themselves holding important positions especially in the field of science. According to a recent report, only 1/5 of the countries in the world have achieved gender parity in the field of science. While the world average of women researchers stand at 30 per cent , it seems India is making a slow progress with increasing its female representation in science to around 12 per cent.

Photo Credit: economictimes.indiatimes.com