00:00Thank you for listening.
00:55Thank you for listening.
01:23Good morning.
01:24So ma'am, on Women's Day we celebrate icons and trailblazers.
01:29But before the headlines and honors, who was Tessie Thomas?
01:34What early influences and experiences shaped your curiosity and set you on the path forward
01:41science?
01:41Yeah.
01:42If you think I am a little girl from Alepi with a lot of curiosity to know about the science,
01:50looking at the rocket from the Thumba rocket launching station.
01:57So the curiosity to learn about the mathematics, science was very much there as a child.
02:04So that has given me the opportunity to go for the engineering.
02:09So after doing an engineering graduate came up for the missile technology course and then
02:15got into this field of missile technology.
02:18So growing up in Kerala in 70s, were you aware that you were stepping into what was largely
02:25seen as male domain?
02:27Or were you simply guided by your curiosity or it was a calling, passion for science?
02:32Yeah, definitely passion for science was there and could do engineering in those years.
02:39That gave me the opportunity to apply for the DRDO sponsored course.
02:45That made me into this field.
02:47I mean, while doing engineering and all, it was not known that we will be getting into this
02:52field or so.
02:54But always eager to know more science and science application.
02:59That was in my mind and that's why I applied for this missile technology course and got into it.
03:04Okay.
03:05So by taking that forward, how did your parents shape and nurture your academic ambitions at
03:13a time when a few girls were encouraged, you know, to pursue engineering and in this male
03:18chauvinist society and what support system enabled you to sustain and thrive in such a
03:23demanding career?
03:25You know, being in Kerala, we give lot of importance to education and my parents too.
03:31They also felt that I got qualified for the engineering course.
03:36So they let me go for that.
03:38And of course, the curiosity, the logical thinking about how things are happening, this
03:44has shaped me into taking this forward.
03:48Okay, right.
03:49So ma'am, you led Agni 4, Agni 5 missile projects, technologies of enormous national significance.
03:54So how do you cope with the psychological weight of such immense responsibility?
04:00Yeah, it's a responsibility, it's a national responsibility for strategic systems where we understand
04:07what we are on to.
04:10And then it's for building the nation's national security and all.
04:15So it gives us the, and we joined a time when India was into a developing technologies.
04:24So it gave us the opportunity to build self-reliant indigenous systems for a country where decision-making
04:33and dedicated commitment towards working for this class of systems.
04:40The challenge was to develop technology, design, from design, development, testing, and proving
04:46the whole life cycle of the systems.
04:49So that is the challenges of this class of systems.
04:52Right.
04:55So building on that, at a time when India is successfully testing indigenous air defense systems
05:00and showcasing combat readiness during exercises like Vayu Shakti 26, so how critical is self-reliance
05:08in missile and air defense technologies to securing India's strategic autonomy in an increasingly
05:15contested region?
05:16Yeah, operations like Vayu Shakti and all shows our military preparedness.
05:23At the same time, this is proving our indigenous capability.
05:28And strength of a nation is by proving this capability that we have systems of this class.
05:35So that matters, strength, respect, strength.
05:38And always we have to be prepared.
05:41It's a global scenario.
05:42So we need to be self-reliant in all our systems.
05:48So the ecosystem built for developing these systems is a must and it's a deterrent for
05:54our country.
05:55True.
05:56So in that context, if I ask, how do you see India's position evolving in global aerospace
06:01and missile technology over the next decade?
06:04Yeah, we have now self-reliance in this class of systems, aerospace as well as the missile systems.
06:12And globally, if you look at what I mentioned, strength, respect, strength.
06:17So we need to have our potential strength in defending our country.
06:21And as far as we are at that, we have reached that stage of capability.
06:27Then enhancing with advanced technologies like AI-enabled systems, hypersonics, hypersonic
06:37vehicles as well as composite, advanced composite materials which gives weight reductions and
06:46further capabilities, advanced avionics.
06:50These are the things which we need to look forward for in the future.
06:53Exactly.
06:54So coming back again to patriarchy, despite meaningful progress, women remain underrepresented
07:01in core engineering field.
07:03I think you will also feel.
07:04So in your view, what subtle or systematic barriers do women in science continue to face
07:10even within progressive institutions and what further changes are needed to create a truly
07:15inclusive and equitable ecosystem?
07:18Yeah, today women are coming up in a very representative manner.
07:23But there may be some hidden bias within the institutions which has to be taken away.
07:30And support systems within the institutions matters a lot, support system from the family.
07:36And what the women have to do, they have to be more knowledgeable and technically sound enough
07:45to go ahead in their profession.
07:47That's what is required.
07:48And then if you are there as a professionalist and a technologist, you will get the, I mean,
07:55what you call, you will be able to progress the way you need to.
07:59So following on what you said, in your view, how can India nurture more women leaders in
08:04the field of STEM and so that they become the norm rather than the exception?
08:09And what do you believe mentorship is the crucial link in strengthening women's participation,
08:15leadership in STEM fields in India?
08:17Definitely leadership in STEM means we have to be supported largely by the institutional support
08:24as well as from the family.
08:27And mentorship is one of the part in bringing the talent in any individual.
08:35So it matters, it's a continuous support and your own in duty spirit in learning things
08:42and taking decisions.
08:43This leads to you to the leadership roles.
08:47Know how and know why of technology has to be known to you.
08:52Then you can always master the profession.
08:56Very true ma'am.
08:57Yes.
08:58So let me now turn to Women's Day again.
09:02So we celebrate women scientists on special occasions like Women's Day.
09:06But how can we ensure that this visibility leads to meaningful structural change rather
09:11than remaining symbolic recognition?
09:14That's true.
09:15We are not looking at any symbolic recognition.
09:17It's the work what we do has to be recognized.
09:21So there has to be the institutionalized change or the structural change in the mindset of the
09:28people around.
09:29So that makes the whole difference.
09:31And you as an individual has to be focused on your work.
09:35And if you have a focused mind to achieve things, things happen.
09:40So that's the way I look at things.
09:42So changing gears slightly while balancing leadership role and this complex missile project
09:48and motherhood.
09:49So how have you navigated these different dimensions of your life?
09:53And do you feel that women are often unfairly expected to balance it all
09:58whereas men are rarely asked to account for the same?
10:03Yeah, it's by nature I think within our country the way we are brought up.
10:07We tend to take both the loads, the professional load as well as the home friend load.
10:13It's by nature it's coming.
10:14But things are changing.
10:16The understanding of the individual's requirements and professional requirements comes known each
10:26other within the family.
10:27So there is a, again the support system matters a lot.
10:31And then you can go ahead with, you know, balancing is taking priority.
10:36You may have to prioritize what is required in your life, the children's education.
10:43Everything matters.
10:45So that tendency of trying to balance and then the support system is there then you will be able to.
10:53I think it's remain in the DNA of the few ways.
10:55Yeah, we may have to do more than 100%.
10:58Yes, exactly.
10:59That's what happens.
11:01Yeah, but still there are support systems which makes it easier within the family as well as in the institution.
11:08Yes ma'am.
11:09So some planning and things will work out.
11:12Right, right.
11:13So as a final question, what legacy would you like to leave behind not only as a scientist but also
11:19as a woman in India's history?
11:22Yeah, it's that if you are determined then things can happen.
11:27So it's your mindset, what I mentioned the focus mindset to do things.
11:32When I joined it was like technology had to be developed.
11:36So there was lot of efforts.
11:38Today it's knowledge is all around us.
11:40And then you can take on that knowledge and then build with the advanced technologies.
11:49It's always opportunities are there.
11:51It's your own decision to take on and move forward.
11:55That's what matters.
11:56That's wonderful and that's so true ma'am.
11:59And as we celebrate Women's Day, Dr. Tessie Thomas journey remind us that courage and commitment can propel dreams beyond
12:08boundaries.
12:09And her story continues to inspire a generation of young women to aim high, break barrier and shape the future
12:16of science and the nation.
12:18Thank you so much.
12:19Thank you ma'am.
