published on in Opinion

Who Is Anna Mani? Education, Early life & Family

In honor of Anna Mani, a renowned Indian physicist and meteorologist, Google has created a doodle in her honour to commemorate the 104th year since she was born. But who is she, and what are some of her most substantial achievements?

Anna Mani, one of the pioneering female scientists in the country, exemplifies the maxim “Try and try again until you succeed.”

Her labour and research, which led to her get popularly known as the “Weather Woman of India,” made it possible for India to create accurate weather predictions and laid the framework for the countries to harness renewable power. 

In addition, she gets given the title of “Weather Woman of India.” Because of her seminal contribution, India can now lessen the effects of the devastation brought on by the impact of climate change.

Anna Mani Early life, Family

Anna Modayil Mani was born in Peermade, a part of Travancore and now a part of Kerala, India, to a family of Syrian Christians. Her father was an atheist and worked as an engineer in the civil sector. 

She was indeed the seventh of a total of eight children in her Family and was a voracious reader. From being moved by Gandhi’s participation in the Vaikom Satyagraha and being inspired by the nationalist struggle he led, she decided to wear khadi garments from that point forward solely. 

Anna Mani spent most of her childhood engrossed in literature. she had read virtually every book in Malayalam held in her neighbourhood library collection. Instead of accepting the standard pair of diamond earrings that she would have received from her Family for her eighth birthday, she asked for a set of the Encyclopedia Britannica. 

Her life was inspired and formed by the world of literature, which exposed her to new ideas and established a strong belief in social justice. Her life was impacted and shaped by the world of literature.

Anna Mani Education

Mani had aspirations of becoming a dance specialist, but she ended up majoring in physics because she found the subject more interesting. In 1939, she graduated with honours from the Pachaiyappas College in Chennai (formerly known as Madras) with a Science degree in physics and chemistry. 

In 1940, the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore gave her a research scholarship for which she was eligible. In 1945, she decided to pursue a doctorate in physics at Imperial College in London to become an expert in meteorological devices.

Anna Mani Career

After moving back to India in 1948, Anna Mani began her career as a meteorologist with the India Meteorological Department. During her time at the Department, she assisted the nation in developing and producing its weather instruments.

 In 1953, as a result of her outstanding performance, she got the position of head of the division. More than a hundred different weather instrument designs were streamlined and standardized in preparation for production thanks to her direction.

 Anna Mani was one of the earliest advocates for the use of alternative forms of energy.

During the decade of the 1950s, she was responsible for establishing a network of solar radiation monitoring stations and publishing various publications on the measurement of renewable energy. 

Later in her career, she rose through the ranks to become the Deputy Director General of the India Meteorological Department, holding various essential roles within the United Nations World Meteorological Organization.

In recognition of the substantial achievements she has made in the field of science, Mani was awarded the INSA K Ramanathan Medal in the year 1987.

After she had retired, she was offered a position as a Trustee at the Raman Research Institute in Bangalore. She also founded a solar and wind power firm.

M. Venkaiah Naidu, who served as Vice President before he was elected President, praised the scientists for their ground-breaking work and for shattering the glass ceiling. In 2020, the Government of India announced that it would establish 11 chairs in the name of eminent Indian women scientists in various fields. 

The purpose of this move was to inspire, encourage, and empower women while also providing proper recognition to young women researchers who excel in multiple areas. Dr Anna Mani, a pioneer in Indian meteorology, was honored by having one of the chairs named after her. 

In addition, the government bestows the Anna Mani Award on a deserving female scientist.

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