Page 20 - Nai Udaan December 2024 Final

A Pioneer with a Purpose

Anna Mani, was driven by a singular vision—to understand and protect the environment.
From an early age, she showed an affinity for knowledge, setting the stage for her ground-
breaking work in meteorology and renewable energy. Little did she know that her work would
lay the foundation for scientific efforts to preserve the natural world for generations to come.

Crafting Tools for Tomorrow’s Innovating for the Earth’s

Climate Future

Anna’s most notable contribution was in the Anna was ahead of her time, creating India’s
field of meteorology, where she helped first ozonesonde—a device that measured
India develop its own weather instruments. ozone levels high in the atmosphere.
At a time when India relied heavily on
imports, she revolutionized the country’s Her work not only helped in understanding
weather forecasting capabilities. By designing the ozone layer but also played a critical role
instruments to measure rainfall, temperature, in global environmental monitoring. In the
and atmospheric pressure, she empowered 1980s, her contributions became instrumental
the nation to make more informed decisions in confirming the existence of the ozone
about its environmental management. hole, a discovery that prompted urgent
These innovations provided a vital tool for action worldwide to reduce harmful
addressing challenges related to climate emissions.
and weather patterns.

A Commitment to Precision male-dominated field. Yet, her determination

and Accuracy to contribute to the scientific community and
make the world a better place never wavered.
Anna was known for her meticulous She passed away in 2001, but her legacy
approach to science, often saying that “wrong continues to inspire those dedicated to
measurements are worse than no measurements at combating environmental challenges. Her
all.” Her dedication to accuracy and detail contributions remain central to ongoing
ensured that the tools she created were not efforts to preserve the planet, making her an
only effective but reliable. This commitment unsung hero in the fight against climate
to precision became a hallmark of her work, change and air pollution.
influencing many scientists who followed in
her footsteps. Bhupender
Sunil Kumar
The Legacy of a Silent TGT, Natural
Mahato
Science
Revolutionary GBSSS, Karala
Anna Mani’s career was not without
challenges, especially as a woman in a

References:
BBC News : https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67634192
18 xÉ<Ç =cÉxÉ fnlacj Scientific Women : https://scientificwomen.net/women/mani-anna-110
-2024
The New Indian Express : https://www.newindianexpress.com/xplore/2024/Jan/31/anna-mani-the-weather-woman
Discover Magazine : https://www.discovermagazine.com/the-sciences/who-was-anna-mani-and-how-was-she-a-
pioneer-for-women-in-stem, Stree Shakti : https://www.streeshakti.com/bookA.aspx?author=21