Dr. Sushama Panigrahi, First Woman Scientist Of ISRO From Odisha Passes Away

Dr. Sushama Panigrahi, First Woman Scientist Of ISRO From Odisha Passes Away

The first Odia woman scientist of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Dr Sushama Panigrahi passed away on Sunday in Ahmedabad at the age of 67 years. She died of complications arising out of cancer. 

She is respected by her peers and was admired in the scientific community for her contribution to disaster management and using remote sensing satellites to study and research data on cyclones and floods. Her contribution to the field of crop management is irreplaceable. 

Panigrahi was born on 17th October 1952 in Aska town of Ganjam district. After completing her Masters in Botany from Berhampur University in 1974, she pursued her PhD from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP) which she completed in 1982.

She joined ISRO in Ahmedabad in 1983 and served for more than 29 years. At the time of her retirement in October 2012, she was the Principal Scientist at ISRO. She is survived by her husband Dr Manav Chakrabarty, a nuclear scientist who also worked at ISRO and their son Sudeep Chakrabarty. 

Pragyan Mishra, a student of nuclear medicine, told MCL, “I came to know about Dr Sushama Panigrahi a few years back. Women in science have always been my heroes and I am following my dreams in their footsteps. Dr Panigrahi and many other women scientists all across India who came up in the 70s and 80s were pathbreakers. This news has saddened me but I feel proud to belong to her state Odisha. I wish more and more Odia women take part in the STEM fields.”

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik expressed sadness over the news of the death of the first female Odia scientist of ISRO. He tweeted that her precedent will always be remembered in the history of Odisha. 

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— Naveen Patnaik (@Naveen_Odisha) May 19, 2020

Union Minister Pratap Sarangi also expressed his condolence in a tweet and said, “I pray to Lord Jagannath to give strength to her family and loved ones during this time of grief.” He also wrote that Dr Sushama’s contribution to disaster management and innovation in the field of agriculture is immense. Her selfless dedication towards the country will forever be remembered with reverence. 

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— Pratap Sarangi (@pcsarangi) May 19, 2020

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan tweeted that Dr Panigrahi’s contribution towards science is invaluable. 

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— Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) May 19, 2020

One of her college mates remembered her fondly and expressed her sadness upon hearing the news of her untimely demise.

Deeply anguished to hear the untimely demise of Dr Sushama Panigrahi, renowned retired scientist of ISRO. She was one of our most talented college mates of 70s. My deep condolence for the bereaved family. https://t.co/oYjqA60OZd

— LAXMI NARAYAN SAHU (@sahuln53) May 19, 2020

Renowned Ollywood actor Akash Dasnayak also expressed sorrow at the passing of the scientist and wished strength to the bereaved family.

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— Akash Dasnayak (@IamAkashDNayak) May 19, 2020