Breaking yet another glass ceiling in the country's scientific bodies, electrochemical scientist N Kalaiselvi has become the first woman Director General of CSIR, India's premier public sector R&D organization which controls multiple state run institutions across the country. Hailing from an humble family in Ambasamudram, a small town in Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu Kalaiselvi had tough beginnings but that didn't prevent her from rising through the ranks in the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research ; she had also headed the Electrochemical Research Institute earlier. Kalaiselvi will also hold charge as secretary, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research of the Science & Technology Ministry, joining a list of women scientists who have occupied key positions in other agencies like ISRO and the Department of Biotechnology. She is currently involved in the development of practically viable sodium-ion and lithium-sulfur batteries and has more than 125 peer reviewed research papers published in international journals besides holding 6 patents. Kudos again to Kalaiselvi for reaching the apex against all odds in a patriarchal society, the nation is proud of you.
