India’s growth story in agriculture and science is often marked by remarkable achievements, yet the individuals behind these milestones sometimes go unrecognised. One such figure is Dr. Janaki Ammal, a pioneering botanist whose work played a critical role in shaping India’s sugarcane industry. Despite her groundbreaking contributions, her name is scarcely mentioned in textbooks, leaving her story largely unknown to younger generations. On Monday, Anand Mahindra drew attention to Janaki Ammal’s legacy in an X post, describing her as an extraordinary example of courage, ambition, and service.
He noted that while India is now the world’s second-largest sugarcane producer, the woman responsible for this achievement has largely slipped into the footnotes of history. Mahindra emphasized that Ammal’s story should serve as motivation for young Indian women and a reminder of the many unsung heroes, particularly female scientists, whose contributions have gone unnoticed.
The Story Behind the Scientist
In his post, Mahindra shared a video from The Better India highlighting Ammal’s life. Born at a time when women of her age were expected to marry, Janaki Ammal chose a different path. In 1932, she became the first Indian woman to earn a Doctor of Philosophy in Botany. She declined marriage to dedicate herself fully to scientific research, returning to India to join the Sugarcane Breeding Institute in Coimbatore as a geneticist.
At the time, Indian sugarcane was less sweet and relied heavily on imported varieties from Papua New Guinea via Southeast Asia. Ammal’s work in hybrid cross-breeding produced high-yield, sweeter sugarcane suited for Indian soil, allowing the country to transition from importer to one of the world’s leading producers and exporters. Her innovations brought significant economic benefits, generating substantial revenue for the nation.
Facing Discrimination and Her Achievements
Despite her groundbreaking work, Ammal faced severe discrimination as a single woman and due to her caste identity. Challenges in India forced her to move to London, where she continued her research even during World War II. There, she developed a unique Magnolia species that still bears her name. Her international work cemented her reputation as a botanist of global significance.
In 1951, at the invitation of Jawaharlal Nehru, Janaki Ammal returned to India to lead the Central Botanical Laboratory. She was later awarded the Padma Shri for her contributions and became a pioneer in biodiversity conservation. Yet, despite her achievements, her name remains largely absent from textbooks, leaving many children unaware of her pivotal role in changing India's identity from that of a sugarcane importer to becoming its second-largest producer.
Source Name : Economic Times