Show Mars, show path for more women in science

Irani says that the prejudice against women in science needs be fixed by educating children in schools about the contributions of women to the field of science

"Who can forget in the Mars Orbiter Mission, the one photograph that was visible to the world, is these few women clad in sarees hugging each other in joy as one of the most historic scientific journeys was undertaken by our nation," said Smriti Irani (pictured), union HRD minister, at the inauguration of the Women's Science Congress in Mysuru on Monday.

Irani, who herself has faced challenges in her career, says that the prejudice against women in science needs be fixed by educating children in schools about the contributions of women to the field of science.

"The most fundamental challenge that needs to be addressed is how do we do away with the prejudice which is not vocal, which is not visible, yet dramatically exists. That is a scientific anomaly," said Irani.