Meet the first Indian woman Dr. Aditi Pant to visit the farthest corner of the world, the frozen terrain of Antarctica in 1983.
This is the story of Dr. Aditi Pant, recipient of the SERC award and the prestigious Antarctica Award by the Government of India for her contributions to the Indian Antarctic Programme.
Her curiosity and love for the ocean have inspired many young girls to pursue careers in oceanography.
Born on 5 July 1943, Aditi’s biggest inspiration was her father, and their dinner chats covered everything from engines to stars. Growing up with a love for outdoor activities like hiking, @Aditi wanted a job that allowed her both mental freedom and the ability to move around freely.
This desire for exploration and freedom led her to pursue B.Sc. degree at the @University of Pune. It was during her undergraduate years that Aditi stumbled upon a life-changing book titled ‘The Open Sea’ by Alister Hardy, which ignited a passion for oceanography within her.
With unwavering determination, Aditi Pant pursued her dream of becoming an oceanographer. She received a scholarship from the US government to pursue a Master’s degree in marine sciences at the @University of Hawaii.
Subsequently, she went on to earn her Ph.D. in Physiology, specializing in Marine Algae, from Westfield College at the @University of London.
During her time, women often faced barriers to accessing quality education. Nevertheless, Dr. Aditi Pant shattered these limitations, serving as an inspiration to women everywhere.
She proved that not only could women reach for the stars, but they could also conquer the challenges of the deep ocean.
Following her education, Dr. Aditi Pant embarked on a fulfilling career, joining the @National Institute of Oceanography in Goa. From 1973 to 1976, she dedicated herself to the study of coastal regions and conducted extensive research along the Western Coastal areas of India.
Additionally, she contributed her expertise to the National Chemical Laboratory in Pune.
She became the first Indian woman to participate in the Third Expedition to Antarctica in 1983 as part of the Indian Antarctic Programme. In the unforgiving and harsh Antarctic conditions, Dr. Aditi Pant conducted extensive research for four months, resulting in remarkable discoveries.
For her outstanding contributions to the expedition, Dr. Aditi Pant was honored with the Antarctica Award.
She remains an enduring inspiration for women across the nation, showing that they can pursue their dreams and achieve success in any corner of the universe.
Follow @SciAstra for your daily dose of inspiration and share this to help us in our mission to build scientists of tomorrow!
Check Also:-
E. Sreedharan: The Metro Man of India
Vainu Bappu: Father of Modern Indian Astronomy
Bhargav Sri Prakash: Founder of FriendsLearn
Pingback: Dr. Madhusudan Gupta: Sanskrit Scholar and an Ayurvedic Physician