Panjab University Alumni Association in collaboration with Women in Science (WISe), under the stewardship of Prof. Deepti Gupta, Dean Alumni Relations, organized a web lecture on “The Rigours and Chills of a Journey in Science” by Dr. Pushpinder G. Bhatia, Principal, Head Department of Physics, Gurunanak College, Affiliated to Univ. of Mumbai, Mumbai.
Prof. Deepti Gupta, Dean, Alumni Relations welcomed everyone and Ms Sonia Chandel from PUAA introduced the speaker to all the participants. Dr. Pushpinder G.Bhatia, after joining as a lecturer in Physics, three decades ago, worked in various capacities and held important positions, such as Director – Internal Quality Assurance Cell, Nodal Officer of Community College, Co-ordinator of the STAR-Program of DBT. She is on the editorial board of two international journals and is a Managing Committee member at the National Centre for Science communicators. She has authored over 25 Research articles and 02 books.
Dr G Bhatia discussed gender inequality in the field of science. She said that data shows that the more gender equal the country, the larger the disparity between boys and girls pursuing science. The gender divide is slightly more pronounced when looking at prize share too. She spoke about many women scientists like Anandibai Joshi, Lisa Meitner, Alice Ball, Kamla Sohnie, Chien Shiung Wu, Anna Mani, Rosalind Franklin, Darshan Ranganathan and B. Vijaylakshmi who dedicated their lives to research. Many of them, though deserving, were not given due credit. They were ignored when their team got the Nobel Prize. She spoke about the kinds of challenges they faced and how they still continued on their path. She gave inspiring examples of Sudha Murthy, Aditi Panth and Kalpana Chawla. Next, Dr Bhatia spoke about the things that can be done to help women scientists like creating institutional support, making gender sensitive spaces, creating pipelines for talent, equal environment for all and glorifying women scientists. She also discussed some initiatives taken in Guru Nanak College for the same. She concluded by saying that women should support each other and was happy to see that Panjab University already has a Women in Science group for that.
Dr. Bhatia answered the questions asked by some of the participants. Dr. Nishima Wangoo, Asst. Prof, UIET proposed a vote of thanks.
