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Kamala Sohonie, an innovative Indian biochemist who defied expectations and helped open doors for women in science, marked her 112th birthday on 18th June, with a Google Doodle. She was a biochemist who broke barriers and showed that women can excel in science too. In a time when there weren't many women in science, she inspired others to follow their dreams and not let gender stop them. The Google Doodle portrayed Kamala Sohonie, illustrating her innovative research on "Neera"—a beverage made from palm nectar that is renowned for its high Vitamin C level.
A Google Doodle is when Google changes its logo to celebrate important events, birthdays of important people, and important discoveries. Google recently celebrated Kamala Sohonie's birthday by sharing interesting facts about her.
Kamala Sohonie was born on 18th June, 1911 in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her parents were chemists, and they inspired her to study chemistry and physics at Bombay University. She graduated at the top of her class in 1933. Even though she faced challenges during her first year at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, Kamala Sohonie became the first woman to study there. Her incredible skills and knowledge proved that women can succeed in science, and more women were encouraged to join the program.
Kamala Sohonie got a research scholarship to study at Cambridge University. There, she made an important discovery about an enzyme called Cytochrome C, which is important for producing energy in plant cells. In just 14 months, she completed her PhD thesis based on this discovery.
The first Indian woman to earn a PhD in a scientific field in 1939, Kamala Sohonie was a force to be reckoned with. She worked hard and overcame obstacles when there weren't many women in science. She received an award for her work on "Neera" and became the first female director of the Royal Institute of Science in Bombay.
When Kamala Sohonie returned to India, she concentrated on researching the nutritional benefits of certain foods. She helped create a drink called Neera, which is made from palm nectar and is packed with Vitamin C. This drink has helped improve the health of malnourished children and pregnant women, and it's affordable too.