Need more women scientists

SHILLONG, MAY 8: Saying that India has a negligible number of women scientists, Meghalaya urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh stressed on the need to encourage women to join the science stream and also dream of becoming scientists.

Lyngdoh urged the National Academy of Sciences India (NASI) to find ways to encourage women to become scientists as the country has very few women scientists during a workshop on “Defining the Role of Women Scientists and Teachers in Promotion and Application of Science and Technology,” organised by the NASI North East Region Local Chapter in collaboration with Lady Keane College in the city on Wednesday.

Lyngdoh said, “ I am amused. What is keeping our women from taking up science as their main subject?”   Referring to women as important partners and stakeholders in today’s society, said she is amused by the fact that there are not too many women scientist.

Lyngdoh suggested that the perspective of children towards science must be changed and made more acceptable to them.

NASI professor & ICMR chairperson in Public Health Research Prof V P Sharma said, “Such workshops are a must as it helps in understanding the science issues better.”

Sharma also stressed on the issue of ‘water crisis.’ He said that people are not aware that they are polluting the waters by dumping garbage in the rivers, waste from the industries and other pollutants and therefore we are facing water crisis.”- By Our Reporter