A Scientist. A Woman. A Story of Survival and Purpose.
I devoted decades to scientific research and public service, working with institutions such as IIT Delhi, AIIMS, and CSIR—driven by integrity, national purpose, and a belief in science as a force for good.
That belief was tested early—and brutally.
Instead of mentorship, I encountered hostility and intimidation. My research equipment was repeatedly tampered with. My work was undermined. My integrity was questioned. The laboratory—once my sanctuary—became a space of fear and humiliation.
When I reported serious ethical violations, I was dismissed. In rooms filled with powerful men, I was told:
“You are only bitter because you are a single woman.”
Those words reduced years of scholarship and service to a stereotype—and signalled that power mattered more than principle.
This is not only my story. It is a warning of what happens when institutions protect power instead of ethics, and silence women instead of standing for justice.
When the Laboratory Became a Battlefield
Reporting misconduct was neither safe nor supported. I received threats. My family became my anchor. Eventually, with evidence and the support of a senior woman colleague, decisive action was taken at the highest level.
The journey was long. The scars remain. But I refused to let harassment define my life.
I rebuilt my research, confidence, and professional standing—eventually rising to become Chief Scientist and Head at a leading CSIR laboratory, leading national and international projects, representing India globally, and mentoring generations of researchers.
Turning Pain into Purpose
As a senior leader, I made a commitment:
No woman under my care would ever feel as powerless as I once did.
I served as Chair of Sexual Harassment Committees at CSIR Headquarters and major laboratories, helping establish POSH-compliant systems rooted in fairness, transparency, sensitivity, and legal clarity—well before workplace safety became a mainstream concern.
My principles remain simple:
- Every individual deserves dignity at work
- Speaking up is an act of strength, not defiance
- Institutions must act promptly, lawfully, and compassionately
Today, through Workplace Harmony Counselling, I bring together science, leadership, lived experience, and statutory understanding to help individuals heal and organisations transform.