Educating new generations of women in science

As a company committed to promoting good health as well as providing opportunity and resources to those in need, we realise the importance of education in both these areas. And one of our key focus areas is building up women in science.

In India, women in science are few and far between for a number of reasons social and economic. With this in mind, the Dr. Reddy’s Foundation set up the Sashakt Scholarship, a one-of-its-kind initiative that encourages young women across the country to pursue careers in science. It provides financial support and mentorship to girl students especially from rural areas and with tough socioeconomic backgrounds to access quality undergraduate education in some of India’s best science institutions. The idea is to empower academically bright girls to follow through with their dreams and contribute to the global scientific discourse, instead of dropping out after school for lack of guidance and resources.

Take the example of Sakshi*, from Rewari district in Haryana, India. In the ninth standard, she wrote an entrance exam to a good local school and because of her high scores, got admission with reduced fees. She even got scholarship in the 12th standard. Sakshi’s father is a farmer and her mother is a homemaker; they’ve both studied until the 12th standard and Sakshi is the first generation of her family to go to college.

“My mantra for mentorship follows three Is: Identify the talent, abilities, strengths and weaknesses of the mentee; Intervene in a timely and thoughtful manner to channelise her efforts and energy in the right direction; and Involve to create a bond free from all hindrances to provide a comfort zone to the mentee to connect and seek required assistance, direction and advice whenever required,” says Kajal Bhambhani, Head of Regulatory Affairs at Dr. Reddy’s and Sakshi’s mentor.

Though Sakshi is a self-motivated girl, but owing to her rural background, there hasn’t been adequate encouragement from the family for her to pursue higher studies. She aspires to become a scientist and complete her PhD after a masters in chemistry from IIT New Delhi.

“Sakshi is comfortable enough now to reach out to me when she needs to talk,” says Kajal. “She has the talent, ability and zeal; the only thing that needs to be done is to provide her with information and refute the negative influences of her rural environment which is my core area of focus for her development.”

*Name changed

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