00:45Namaskar to all. I am Dr. Anubha Jain, Senior Journalist with ETV Bharat. And on the special
00:50occasion of Women's Day, we are honored to speak with renowned aerospace engineer Dr.
00:55Tessie Thomas, one of India's most distinguished scientists and a pioneering force in the country's
01:02missile program. Popularly known as the Missile Women of India, she has played a key role strengthening
01:08India's strategic defense capabilities. As a former Director General of Aeronautics System
01:14at DRDO, her journey reflects determination, leadership and scientific excellence. Having
01:20served as Project Director for Agni 4 and 5 Ballistic Missile at DRDO, her leadership helped
01:27advance India's long-range missile capability. Welcome to ETV, ma'am.
01:32Thank you. Good morning.
01:34So, ma'am, on Women's Day, we celebrate icons and trailblazers. But before the headlines and
01:40honors, who was Tessie? Tessie Thomas. What early influences and experiences shaped your
01:47curiosity and set you on the path forward science?
01:51Yeah. If you think I am a little girl from Allopi with a lot of curiosity to know about
01:58the science, looking at the rocket from the Thumba rocket launching station. So the curiosity
02:08to learn about the mathematics science was very much there as a child. So that has given me
02:16the opportunity to go for the engineering. So after doing an engineering graduate, came
02:21up for the missile technology course and then got into this field of missile technology.
02:27Okay. So growing up in Kerala in 70s, were you aware that you were stepping into what was
02:34largely seen as male domain? Or were you simply guided by your curiosity or it was a calling,
02:40passion for science?
02:41Yeah. Definitely passion for science was there and could do engineering in those years. That gave me
02:49the opportunity to apply for the DRDO sponsored course that made me into this field. I mean,
02:57while doing engineering and all, it was not known that we will be getting into this field or so. But
03:03always eager to know more science and science application. That was in my mind and that's why
03:10I applied for this missile technology course and got into it. Okay. So by taking that forward,
03:16how did your parents shape and nurture your academic ambitions at a time when a few girls were encouraged,
03:24you know, to pursue engineering and in this male chauvinist society? And what support system enabled you
03:30to sustain and thrive in such a demanding career?
03:34You know, being in Kerala, we give a lot of importance to education and my parents too. They also felt
03:42that I got qualified for the engineering course. So they let me go for that.
03:46And of course, the curiosity, the logical thinking about how things are happening. This has shaped me into taking this
03:56forward.
03:57Okay. Right. So ma'am, you led Agni-4, Agni-5 missile projects, technologies of enormous national significance. So how
04:04do you cope with the psychological weight of such immense responsibility?
04:09Yeah, it's a responsibility. It's a national responsibility for strategic systems where we understand what we are on to. And
04:19then it's for building the nation's national security and all. So it gives us the, and we joined a time
04:28when India was into a developing technologies.
04:33So it gave us the opportunity to build self-reliant indigenous systems for a country where decision making and dedicated
04:44commitment towards working for this class of systems challenge was to develop technology design from design, development, testing and proving
04:55the whole life cycle of the system. So that is the challenges of this class of system.
05:01Right. So building on that, at a time when India is successfully testing indigenous air defense systems and showcasing combat
05:11readiness during exercises like Vayu Shakti 26. So how critical is self-reliance in missile and air defense technologies to
05:21securing India's strategic autonomy in an increasingly contested region?
05:25Yeah, operations like Vayu Shakti 26. So how critical is it?
05:29Yeah, operations like Vayu Shakti and all shows our military preparedness. At the same time, proving our indigenous capability. And
05:37strength of a nation is by proving this capability that we have systems of this class. So that matters, strength,
05:46respect, strength. And always we have to be prepared. It's a global scenario. So we need to be self-reliant.
05:55Reliant in all our systems. Right. So the ecosystem built for developing these systems is a must and it's a
06:03deterrent for our country. True. So in that context, if I ask, how do you see India's position evolving in
06:10global aerospace and missile technology over the next decade?
06:13Yeah, we have now self-reliance in this class of aerospace as well as the missile systems. And globally, if
06:22you look at what I mentioned, strength, respect, strength. So we need to have our potential strength in defending our
06:30country.
06:30And as far as we are at that, we have reached that stage of capability. Then enhancing with advanced technologies
06:39like AI enabled systems, hypersonics, hypersonic vehicles as well as composite, advanced composite materials, which gives weight reductions and further
06:56capabilities, advanced avionics.
06:59These are the things which we need to look forward for future.
07:03Exactly. So coming back again to patriarchy, despite meaningful progress, women remain underrepresented in core engineering field.
07:12I think you will also feel. So in your view, what subtle or systematic barriers do women in science continue
07:18to face even within progressive institutions?
07:21And what further changes are needed to create a truly inclusive and equitable ecosystem?
07:27Yeah, today women are coming up in a very representative manner, but there may be some hidden bias within the
07:35institutions, which has to be taken away.
07:39And support systems within the institutions matters a lot, support system from the family.
07:45And what the women have to do, they have to be more knowledgeable and technically sound enough to go ahead
07:55in their profession.
07:56That's what is required. And then if you are there as a professionalist and a technologist, you will get the,
08:03I mean, what you call, you will be able to progress the way you need to.
08:08So following on what you said, in your view, how can India nurture more women leaders in the field of
08:14STEM and so that they become the norm rather than the exception?
08:18And what do you believe mentorship is the crucial link in strengthening women's participation leadership in STEM fields in India?
08:26Yeah, definitely leadership in STEM means we have to be supported largely by the institutional support as well as from
08:34the family.
08:35And mentorship is one of the part in bringing the talent in any individual.
08:44So it matters. It's a continuous support and your own in duty spirit in learning things and taking decisions.
08:52This leads to you to the leadership roles.
08:56Know how and know why of technology has to be known to you.
09:01Then you can always master the profession.
09:05Very true ma'am. Yes.
09:07So let me now turn to Women's Day again.
09:11So we celebrate women scientists on special occasions like Women's Day.
09:15But how can we ensure that this visibility leads to meaningful structural change rather than remaining symbolic recognition?
09:22True. We are not looking at any symbolic recognition.
09:25It's the work what we do has to be recognized.
09:29So there has to be the institutionalized change or the structural change in the mindset of the people around.
09:37So that makes the whole difference.
09:39And you as an individual has to be focused on your work.
09:44And if you have a focused mind to achieve things, things happen.
09:48So that's the way I look at things.
09:50Right, right ma'am. So changing gears slightly while balancing leadership role and this complex missile project and motherhood.
09:57So how have you navigated these different dimensions of your life?
10:01And do you feel that women are often unfairly expected to balance it all whereas men are rarely asked to
10:09account for the same?
10:11Yeah, it's by nature I think within our country the way we are brought up.
10:16We tend to take both the loads, the professional load as well as the home friend load.
10:21It's by nature it's coming.
10:22But things are changing.
10:24The understanding of the individual's requirements and professional requirements comes known each other within the family.
10:35So there is a, again the support system matters a lot.
10:39And then you can go ahead with, you know, balancing is taking priority.
10:45You may have to prioritize what is required in your life, the children's education, everything matters.
10:52So that tendency of trying to balance and then the support system is there then you will be able to.
11:01I think it's remain in the DNA of the people.
11:03Yeah, we may have to do more than 100%.
11:07Yes, exactly.
11:08That's what happens.
11:09Yeah, but still there are support systems which makes it easier within the family as well as in the institution.
11:17Yes ma'am.
11:18So some planning and things will work out.
11:20Right, right.
11:21So as a final question, what legacy would you like to leave behind not only as a scientist but also
11:27as a woman in India's history?
11:30Yeah, it's that if you are determined then things can happen.
11:36So it's your mindset what I mentioned the focus mindset to do things.
11:40When I joined it was like technology had to be developed.
11:44So there was lot of efforts.
11:46Today it's knowledge is all around us.
11:48And then you can take on that knowledge and then build with the advanced technologies.
11:58It's always opportunities are there.
11:59It's your own decision to take on and move forward.
12:03That's what matters.
12:04That's wonderful and that's so true ma'am.
12:07And as we celebrate Women's Day, Dr. Tessie Thomas journey reminds us that courage and commitment can propel dreams beyond
12:16boundaries.
12:17And her story continues to inspire a generation of young women to aim high, break barrier and shape the future
12:25of science and the nation.
12:26Thank you so much.
12:28Thank you ma'am.
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