NCERT Textbook: Bibha Chowdhuri: The Beam of Light that Lit the Path for Women in Indian Science | English Poorvi Class 8 - New NCERT PDF Download

 Page 1


BIBHA CHOWDHURI
THE BEAM OF LIGHT THAT LIT THE PATH FOR WOMEN IN
INDIAN SCIENCE
Let us do these activities before we read.
I Work in pairs. What qualities do you associate with a scientist? Share 
your answers with your classmates and teacher. Complete the word web 
given below.
II Some pictures of women scientists are given below. What do you know 
about their work? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Qualities of a 
scientist
Unit 5.indd   233 13-05-2025   15:42:17
Page 2


BIBHA CHOWDHURI
THE BEAM OF LIGHT THAT LIT THE PATH FOR WOMEN IN
INDIAN SCIENCE
Let us do these activities before we read.
I Work in pairs. What qualities do you associate with a scientist? Share 
your answers with your classmates and teacher. Complete the word web 
given below.
II Some pictures of women scientists are given below. What do you know 
about their work? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Qualities of a 
scientist
Unit 5.indd   233 13-05-2025   15:42:17
Poorvi
234
towering: very 
high or great
persistence:
ability to 
keep doing 
something 
difficult
delved:
examined 
something in 
detail to find 
information
trailblazers:
people who are 
the first to do 
something that 
other people do 
later
equitable:
treating 
everyone fairly 
and in the same 
way
defied the 
odds: achieved 
something 
despite 
difficulties
Let us read
In a world where women’s potential in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is being recognised 
beyond doubt, India has seen its share of trailblazers who 
paved the way. Today, the women behind ISRO’s Mars Orbiter 
Mission and Chandrayaan-3 are celebrated for their brilliance 
and achievements. However, the foundation was laid by 
early pioneers like Bibha Chowdhuri—India’s first woman 
physicist—who carved a path in the male-dominated field 
of physics.
At a time when Indian 
women struggled to seek 
knowledge and equitable
access to education, Bibha 
Chowdhuri emerged as 
a rare beam of light—a 
woman who defied the 
odds and lit a path for 
others to follow. Born 
in 1913 in Kolkata, in an 
India that still followed the 
traditional path. Bibha’s 
story was anything but 
ordinary. She was a scientist who rose not only against the 
societal expectations of women but also amidst the towering
giants of science—men whose names the world would come to 
celebrate, while hers was whispered only in the halls of those 
who recognised her brilliance.
Bibha’s persistence eventually earned her a place at the Bose 
Institute. She had already begun to chip away at the walls 
of exclusion, becoming the first Indian woman to excel in 
high-energy particle physics.
Breaking Boundaries
In 1945, Bibha’s academic journey took her to the University 
of Manchester. Under the guidance of the celebrated Nobel 
Laureate, Patrick M.S. Blackett, she delved deeper into the 
field of cosmic rays. Her Ph.D. thesis on cosmic rays earned 
local recognition, with newspapers introducing her as ‘India’s 
At a time when Indian 
women struggled to seek 
access to education, Bibha 
Chowdhuri emerged as 
defied the 
others to follow. Born 
in 1913 in Kolkata, in an 
India that still followed the 
traditional path. Bibha’s 
story was anything but 
Unit 5.indd   234 13-05-2025   15:42:19
Page 3


BIBHA CHOWDHURI
THE BEAM OF LIGHT THAT LIT THE PATH FOR WOMEN IN
INDIAN SCIENCE
Let us do these activities before we read.
I Work in pairs. What qualities do you associate with a scientist? Share 
your answers with your classmates and teacher. Complete the word web 
given below.
II Some pictures of women scientists are given below. What do you know 
about their work? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Qualities of a 
scientist
Unit 5.indd   233 13-05-2025   15:42:17
Poorvi
234
towering: very 
high or great
persistence:
ability to 
keep doing 
something 
difficult
delved:
examined 
something in 
detail to find 
information
trailblazers:
people who are 
the first to do 
something that 
other people do 
later
equitable:
treating 
everyone fairly 
and in the same 
way
defied the 
odds: achieved 
something 
despite 
difficulties
Let us read
In a world where women’s potential in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is being recognised 
beyond doubt, India has seen its share of trailblazers who 
paved the way. Today, the women behind ISRO’s Mars Orbiter 
Mission and Chandrayaan-3 are celebrated for their brilliance 
and achievements. However, the foundation was laid by 
early pioneers like Bibha Chowdhuri—India’s first woman 
physicist—who carved a path in the male-dominated field 
of physics.
At a time when Indian 
women struggled to seek 
knowledge and equitable
access to education, Bibha 
Chowdhuri emerged as 
a rare beam of light—a 
woman who defied the 
odds and lit a path for 
others to follow. Born 
in 1913 in Kolkata, in an 
India that still followed the 
traditional path. Bibha’s 
story was anything but 
ordinary. She was a scientist who rose not only against the 
societal expectations of women but also amidst the towering
giants of science—men whose names the world would come to 
celebrate, while hers was whispered only in the halls of those 
who recognised her brilliance.
Bibha’s persistence eventually earned her a place at the Bose 
Institute. She had already begun to chip away at the walls 
of exclusion, becoming the first Indian woman to excel in 
high-energy particle physics.
Breaking Boundaries
In 1945, Bibha’s academic journey took her to the University 
of Manchester. Under the guidance of the celebrated Nobel 
Laureate, Patrick M.S. Blackett, she delved deeper into the 
field of cosmic rays. Her Ph.D. thesis on cosmic rays earned 
local recognition, with newspapers introducing her as ‘India’s 
At a time when Indian 
women struggled to seek 
access to education, Bibha 
Chowdhuri emerged as 
defied the 
others to follow. Born 
in 1913 in Kolkata, in an 
India that still followed the 
traditional path. Bibha’s 
story was anything but 
Unit 5.indd   234 13-05-2025   15:42:19
Science and Curiosity
235
New Woman Scientist—She has an eye for Cosmic Rays’. This 
title reflected the awe she inspired in a world still sceptical of 
her capabilities.
In an era marked by towering scientific discoveries, Bibha was 
often on the cusp of greatness but remained in the shadows 
of her male counterparts. Her most notable contribution 
was the discovery of pi-mesons, a subatomic particle. Her 
nomination for a Nobel Prize in 1950 by Erwin Schrödinger, 
though unsuccessful, reflected her remarkable talent. Her 
life, full of challenges and struggles, was marked by an uphill 
battle to be heard and seen in the field of science. Chowdhuri 
never received any awards during her lifetime, but continued 
her work tirelessly.
In 1949, upon her return to India, she became the first woman 
faculty member at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 
(TIFR), personally selected by Homi J. Bhabha. Chowdhuri’s 
contributions spanned across research institutes like the 
Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad and the Saha 
Institute of Nuclear Physics in Kolkata. This is where she 
continued her work on cosmic rays and subatomic particles. 
Through decades of crucial research, from Kolar Gold Mines 
to the Physical Research Laboratory under the mentorship 
of Vikram Sarabhai, Bibha’s work went on quietly, as she 
remained in the periphery of Indian scientific acclaim. 
She passed away in 1991, her story untold, her name 
largely forgotten.
The Legacy of Bibha Chowdhuri and Today’s Women in 
Indian Science
The stars are not meant to remain 
hidden forever. In 2019, the 
International Astronomical Union 
(IAU) honoured her legacy by 
renaming a star in the constellation 
Leo—HD 86081—as ‘Bibha,’ 
meaning ‘beam of light.’ Fittingly, 
she is now a ‘star in heaven,’ a 
symbol of the light she brought 
to Indian science. A fitting tribute 
periphery:
boundary
acclaim: praise
sceptical:
doubtful
notable:
remarkable
Unit 5.indd   235 13-05-2025   15:42:21
Page 4


BIBHA CHOWDHURI
THE BEAM OF LIGHT THAT LIT THE PATH FOR WOMEN IN
INDIAN SCIENCE
Let us do these activities before we read.
I Work in pairs. What qualities do you associate with a scientist? Share 
your answers with your classmates and teacher. Complete the word web 
given below.
II Some pictures of women scientists are given below. What do you know 
about their work? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Qualities of a 
scientist
Unit 5.indd   233 13-05-2025   15:42:17
Poorvi
234
towering: very 
high or great
persistence:
ability to 
keep doing 
something 
difficult
delved:
examined 
something in 
detail to find 
information
trailblazers:
people who are 
the first to do 
something that 
other people do 
later
equitable:
treating 
everyone fairly 
and in the same 
way
defied the 
odds: achieved 
something 
despite 
difficulties
Let us read
In a world where women’s potential in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is being recognised 
beyond doubt, India has seen its share of trailblazers who 
paved the way. Today, the women behind ISRO’s Mars Orbiter 
Mission and Chandrayaan-3 are celebrated for their brilliance 
and achievements. However, the foundation was laid by 
early pioneers like Bibha Chowdhuri—India’s first woman 
physicist—who carved a path in the male-dominated field 
of physics.
At a time when Indian 
women struggled to seek 
knowledge and equitable
access to education, Bibha 
Chowdhuri emerged as 
a rare beam of light—a 
woman who defied the 
odds and lit a path for 
others to follow. Born 
in 1913 in Kolkata, in an 
India that still followed the 
traditional path. Bibha’s 
story was anything but 
ordinary. She was a scientist who rose not only against the 
societal expectations of women but also amidst the towering
giants of science—men whose names the world would come to 
celebrate, while hers was whispered only in the halls of those 
who recognised her brilliance.
Bibha’s persistence eventually earned her a place at the Bose 
Institute. She had already begun to chip away at the walls 
of exclusion, becoming the first Indian woman to excel in 
high-energy particle physics.
Breaking Boundaries
In 1945, Bibha’s academic journey took her to the University 
of Manchester. Under the guidance of the celebrated Nobel 
Laureate, Patrick M.S. Blackett, she delved deeper into the 
field of cosmic rays. Her Ph.D. thesis on cosmic rays earned 
local recognition, with newspapers introducing her as ‘India’s 
At a time when Indian 
women struggled to seek 
access to education, Bibha 
Chowdhuri emerged as 
defied the 
others to follow. Born 
in 1913 in Kolkata, in an 
India that still followed the 
traditional path. Bibha’s 
story was anything but 
Unit 5.indd   234 13-05-2025   15:42:19
Science and Curiosity
235
New Woman Scientist—She has an eye for Cosmic Rays’. This 
title reflected the awe she inspired in a world still sceptical of 
her capabilities.
In an era marked by towering scientific discoveries, Bibha was 
often on the cusp of greatness but remained in the shadows 
of her male counterparts. Her most notable contribution 
was the discovery of pi-mesons, a subatomic particle. Her 
nomination for a Nobel Prize in 1950 by Erwin Schrödinger, 
though unsuccessful, reflected her remarkable talent. Her 
life, full of challenges and struggles, was marked by an uphill 
battle to be heard and seen in the field of science. Chowdhuri 
never received any awards during her lifetime, but continued 
her work tirelessly.
In 1949, upon her return to India, she became the first woman 
faculty member at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 
(TIFR), personally selected by Homi J. Bhabha. Chowdhuri’s 
contributions spanned across research institutes like the 
Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad and the Saha 
Institute of Nuclear Physics in Kolkata. This is where she 
continued her work on cosmic rays and subatomic particles. 
Through decades of crucial research, from Kolar Gold Mines 
to the Physical Research Laboratory under the mentorship 
of Vikram Sarabhai, Bibha’s work went on quietly, as she 
remained in the periphery of Indian scientific acclaim. 
She passed away in 1991, her story untold, her name 
largely forgotten.
The Legacy of Bibha Chowdhuri and Today’s Women in 
Indian Science
The stars are not meant to remain 
hidden forever. In 2019, the 
International Astronomical Union 
(IAU) honoured her legacy by 
renaming a star in the constellation 
Leo—HD 86081—as ‘Bibha,’ 
meaning ‘beam of light.’ Fittingly, 
she is now a ‘star in heaven,’ a 
symbol of the light she brought 
to Indian science. A fitting tribute 
periphery:
boundary
acclaim: praise
sceptical:
doubtful
notable:
remarkable
Unit 5.indd   235 13-05-2025   15:42:21
Poorvi
236
to a woman whose life was a radiant example of tenacity, 
brilliance, and quiet determination. In 2020, the Government 
of India declared a chair professorship in her name. 
Fast forward to the present day, and the advancements made 
by women in Indian science reflect Chowdhuri’s pioneering 
spirit and the progress she helped ignite. Women in ISRO, for 
instance, are no longer participants but leaders in missions 
that make global headlines.
One such luminary is Dr. Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, popularly 
referred to as the ‘Rocket Woman of India.’ Her pivotal role 
in ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission and subsequent leadership in 
Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 reflect the leaps women 
have made in STEM in India. Over 50 women contributed to 
Chandrayaan-3, and their success is built upon the shoulders 
of pioneers like Bibha Chowdhuri. Their roles in developing 
autonomous systems for spacecraft and managing 
mission-critical operations highlight the capabilities of women 
in pushing India’s space programme forward.
From Shadows to the Stars
The journey from Bibha Chowdhuri’s era to today’s women 
scientists has been long and arduous, but it is also inspiring. 
The struggles Chowdhuri faced are a stark reminder of how far 
we’ve come—and how much further we have to go. But with 
every cosmic achievement—be it landing on the moon or 
reaching Mars—these women prove that the journey is well 
worth it.
Bibha Chowdhuri’s legacy lives on. Her story continues to 
inspire young women to pursue their passions, break barriers, 
and leave their mark on the world. Whether exploring cosmic 
rays or sending rockets to Mars, India’s women scientists are 
writing the next chapter in a story that Bibha Chowdhuri 
helped begin.
As the stars of Indian science shine brighter, Bibha Chowdhuri, 
the beacon-‘beam of light,’ will always guide the way.
ignite: arouse
autonomous:
independent
arduous:
difficult, 
needing a lot 
of effort and 
energy
stark: clear
beacon: a good 
example that 
gives people 
hope and 
encouragement
tenacity: 
determination 
to continue 
what you are 
doing
Unit 5.indd   236 13-05-2025   15:42:22
Page 5


BIBHA CHOWDHURI
THE BEAM OF LIGHT THAT LIT THE PATH FOR WOMEN IN
INDIAN SCIENCE
Let us do these activities before we read.
I Work in pairs. What qualities do you associate with a scientist? Share 
your answers with your classmates and teacher. Complete the word web 
given below.
II Some pictures of women scientists are given below. What do you know 
about their work? Share your answers with your classmates and teacher.
Qualities of a 
scientist
Unit 5.indd   233 13-05-2025   15:42:17
Poorvi
234
towering: very 
high or great
persistence:
ability to 
keep doing 
something 
difficult
delved:
examined 
something in 
detail to find 
information
trailblazers:
people who are 
the first to do 
something that 
other people do 
later
equitable:
treating 
everyone fairly 
and in the same 
way
defied the 
odds: achieved 
something 
despite 
difficulties
Let us read
In a world where women’s potential in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is being recognised 
beyond doubt, India has seen its share of trailblazers who 
paved the way. Today, the women behind ISRO’s Mars Orbiter 
Mission and Chandrayaan-3 are celebrated for their brilliance 
and achievements. However, the foundation was laid by 
early pioneers like Bibha Chowdhuri—India’s first woman 
physicist—who carved a path in the male-dominated field 
of physics.
At a time when Indian 
women struggled to seek 
knowledge and equitable
access to education, Bibha 
Chowdhuri emerged as 
a rare beam of light—a 
woman who defied the 
odds and lit a path for 
others to follow. Born 
in 1913 in Kolkata, in an 
India that still followed the 
traditional path. Bibha’s 
story was anything but 
ordinary. She was a scientist who rose not only against the 
societal expectations of women but also amidst the towering
giants of science—men whose names the world would come to 
celebrate, while hers was whispered only in the halls of those 
who recognised her brilliance.
Bibha’s persistence eventually earned her a place at the Bose 
Institute. She had already begun to chip away at the walls 
of exclusion, becoming the first Indian woman to excel in 
high-energy particle physics.
Breaking Boundaries
In 1945, Bibha’s academic journey took her to the University 
of Manchester. Under the guidance of the celebrated Nobel 
Laureate, Patrick M.S. Blackett, she delved deeper into the 
field of cosmic rays. Her Ph.D. thesis on cosmic rays earned 
local recognition, with newspapers introducing her as ‘India’s 
At a time when Indian 
women struggled to seek 
access to education, Bibha 
Chowdhuri emerged as 
defied the 
others to follow. Born 
in 1913 in Kolkata, in an 
India that still followed the 
traditional path. Bibha’s 
story was anything but 
Unit 5.indd   234 13-05-2025   15:42:19
Science and Curiosity
235
New Woman Scientist—She has an eye for Cosmic Rays’. This 
title reflected the awe she inspired in a world still sceptical of 
her capabilities.
In an era marked by towering scientific discoveries, Bibha was 
often on the cusp of greatness but remained in the shadows 
of her male counterparts. Her most notable contribution 
was the discovery of pi-mesons, a subatomic particle. Her 
nomination for a Nobel Prize in 1950 by Erwin Schrödinger, 
though unsuccessful, reflected her remarkable talent. Her 
life, full of challenges and struggles, was marked by an uphill 
battle to be heard and seen in the field of science. Chowdhuri 
never received any awards during her lifetime, but continued 
her work tirelessly.
In 1949, upon her return to India, she became the first woman 
faculty member at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research 
(TIFR), personally selected by Homi J. Bhabha. Chowdhuri’s 
contributions spanned across research institutes like the 
Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad and the Saha 
Institute of Nuclear Physics in Kolkata. This is where she 
continued her work on cosmic rays and subatomic particles. 
Through decades of crucial research, from Kolar Gold Mines 
to the Physical Research Laboratory under the mentorship 
of Vikram Sarabhai, Bibha’s work went on quietly, as she 
remained in the periphery of Indian scientific acclaim. 
She passed away in 1991, her story untold, her name 
largely forgotten.
The Legacy of Bibha Chowdhuri and Today’s Women in 
Indian Science
The stars are not meant to remain 
hidden forever. In 2019, the 
International Astronomical Union 
(IAU) honoured her legacy by 
renaming a star in the constellation 
Leo—HD 86081—as ‘Bibha,’ 
meaning ‘beam of light.’ Fittingly, 
she is now a ‘star in heaven,’ a 
symbol of the light she brought 
to Indian science. A fitting tribute 
periphery:
boundary
acclaim: praise
sceptical:
doubtful
notable:
remarkable
Unit 5.indd   235 13-05-2025   15:42:21
Poorvi
236
to a woman whose life was a radiant example of tenacity, 
brilliance, and quiet determination. In 2020, the Government 
of India declared a chair professorship in her name. 
Fast forward to the present day, and the advancements made 
by women in Indian science reflect Chowdhuri’s pioneering 
spirit and the progress she helped ignite. Women in ISRO, for 
instance, are no longer participants but leaders in missions 
that make global headlines.
One such luminary is Dr. Ritu Karidhal Srivastava, popularly 
referred to as the ‘Rocket Woman of India.’ Her pivotal role 
in ISRO’s Mars Orbiter Mission and subsequent leadership in 
Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 reflect the leaps women 
have made in STEM in India. Over 50 women contributed to 
Chandrayaan-3, and their success is built upon the shoulders 
of pioneers like Bibha Chowdhuri. Their roles in developing 
autonomous systems for spacecraft and managing 
mission-critical operations highlight the capabilities of women 
in pushing India’s space programme forward.
From Shadows to the Stars
The journey from Bibha Chowdhuri’s era to today’s women 
scientists has been long and arduous, but it is also inspiring. 
The struggles Chowdhuri faced are a stark reminder of how far 
we’ve come—and how much further we have to go. But with 
every cosmic achievement—be it landing on the moon or 
reaching Mars—these women prove that the journey is well 
worth it.
Bibha Chowdhuri’s legacy lives on. Her story continues to 
inspire young women to pursue their passions, break barriers, 
and leave their mark on the world. Whether exploring cosmic 
rays or sending rockets to Mars, India’s women scientists are 
writing the next chapter in a story that Bibha Chowdhuri 
helped begin.
As the stars of Indian science shine brighter, Bibha Chowdhuri, 
the beacon-‘beam of light,’ will always guide the way.
ignite: arouse
autonomous:
independent
arduous:
difficult, 
needing a lot 
of effort and 
energy
stark: clear
beacon: a good 
example that 
gives people 
hope and 
encouragement
tenacity: 
determination 
to continue 
what you are 
doing
Unit 5.indd   236 13-05-2025   15:42:22
Science and Curiosity
237
Let us discuss
I Arrange the following events from Bibha Chowdhuri’s life in the 
correct order of occurrence. Share your answers with your classmates 
and teacher.
1. The International Astronomical Union (IAU) honoured her legacy by 
renaming a star in the constellation Leo—HD 86081—as ‘Bibha’.
2. She became the first woman faculty member at the Tata Institute of 
Fundamental Research (TIFR).
3. Bibha Chowdhuri was born in pre-independent India.
4.The Government of India declared a chair professorship in 
Bibha’s name.
5. She joined the University of Manchester under the guidance of the 
celebrated Nobel Laureate, Patrick M.S. Blackett.
6. She was nominated for a Nobel Prize by Erwin Schrödinger.
Let us think and reflect
I Read the given extracts and answer the questions that follow.
1. In 1945, Bibha’s academic journey took her to the University of 
Manchester. Under the guidance of the celebrated Nobel Laureate, 
Patrick M.S. Blackett, she delved deeper into the field of cosmic rays. Her 
Ph.D. thesis on cosmic rays earned local recognition, with newspapers 
introducing her as ‘India’s New Woman Scientist—She has an eye for 
Cosmic Rays’. 
(i) Why is the mention of Patrick M.S. Blackett, a Nobel Laureate, 
significant in this extract?
(ii) What can be inferred about the public perception of women 
scientists in the 1940s from the title given to her by the press ‘India’s 
New Woman Scientist’?
A. Women scientists were widely accepted and celebrated at 
that time.
B. The world was still doubtful about the capabilities of 
women scientists.
C. Women scientists were as common and renowned as men in 
the 1940s.
D. Women were not allowed to study sciences or pursue 
scientific careers.
Unit 5.indd   237 13-05-2025   15:42:23