Anna Mani: The story of a great Indian scientist

In this episode of Frontline Conversations, Author Asha Gopinathan speaks to Nandita Jayaraj about her book "Anna Mani: The Uncut Diamond", a biography of one of India’s most important yet overlooked scientists. The discussion traces the life and work of Anna Mani, a pioneering meteorologist whose contributions shaped India’s weather science, atmospheric research, and scientific instrumentation in the decades after Independence. Drawing on archival material, personal letters, and scientific papers, Gopinathan reflects on Mani’s journey from C.V. Raman’s laboratory to the India Meteorological Department, and on the institutional culture of science she helped build. The discussion also examines broader questions of recognition, gender, and nation-building in Indian science, including the circumstances under which Anna Mani was denied a PhD despite completing the required work, and what her career reveals about how scientific labour is valued and remembered. Highlights: Anna Mani’s contributions to Indian meteorology and atmospheric physics Building indigenous scientific instruments in post-Independence India Science as nation-building, beyond publications and prestige Gender, recognition, and the denial of a PhD The culture of scientific institutions then and now Why Anna Mani’s legacy still matters today History of Indian science and scientific institutions Women in science and STEM in India Meteorology, atmospheric research, and weather data Science, policy, and nation-building Forgotten figures in Indian intellectual history Perfect for those interested in: Credits: Host: Nandita Jayaraj Editing: Razal Pareed Producers: Kavya Pradeep M and Mridula Vijayarangakumar Subscribe to Frontline: https://frontline.thehindu.com/online... Follow us on: Facebook - / frontlineindia Twitter - / frontline_india Instagram - / frontline.magazine LinkedIn - / frontline-magazine-b12921295