New Delhi (PTI): As the world celebrates Mother's Day day, a little known fact has emerged that women scientists are propelling India's strategic weapons programme including long range missile.
According to official figures there were almost up to 200 women scientists involved in India's key weapon programmes like missiles, tanks, naval systems and even light combat aircrafts (LCAs).
And now Dr Tessy Thomas would be the first woman scientist in the country to become Project Director for developing upgraded versions of the 2,000 kilometre range nuclear capable surface to surface Agni-II missile.
Thomas is presently the Associate Project Director of the 3,000 kilometre range Agni-III missile project.
She refused to say on what version the Agni-III was planned.
"It is still a confidential project. It will be called Agni-III A (2)," that was all she said.
"I like my job. I feel I am contributing to my nation's security," Thomas told PTI.
The woman scientist is here to be honoured on Monday on Defence Research Development Organisation's (DRDO) technology day programme which would be presided over by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
A B Tech from Thrissur Engineering College, Calicut, and M Tech from Pune, Thomas joined the DRDO after passing out from the college and said that there were 20 other women scientists working along with her in the Agni-III programme.
There are seven women scientists working on top key posts in this programme.
Thomas, an expert on all solid system propellant did the post analysis of the failure of the first Agni-III missile. She said there were some shortcoming in the test of the missile. But these have been overcome to have a smooth flawless test fly.
So dedicated is Thomas to her work and her job with the DRDO that she has named her son, who is currently doing engineering, 'Tejas'.
Tessy Thomas looks Indian, Thomas is not an Indian name. So what does her husband do in India?