This is the story of India’s first women legislator. But why in science-blog I am mentioning a story of a legislator? Because …… She was not only a doctor. She was a fighter. Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy (Reddi) was born on July 30, 1886 in Madras presidency of erstwhile British India. Her father was S. Narayanaswami, a Brahmin by caste was the principal of Maharaja`s College. Her mother Chandrammal belonged to the Isai Velala caste, a caste whose women danced and sang in temples (traditionally called Devadasi; I am not mentioning here but you must read about this tradition ). Her father was ostracized from his family since he married a devadasi. Narayanaswami, thus, came close to the family of his in-laws and also to the tradition and issues of the Devadasi community. Even then, S. Narayanaswami sent Muthulakshmi to school against the tradition. Witnessing the enthusiasm of child Muthulakshmi to learn, her teachers decided to teach her subjects beyond those instructed by her father. At
Inspirational journey of scientists