THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Jan 28): Dr. Tessy Thomas, the former Director General of Aeronautical Systems at DRDO and widely celebrated as the “Missile Woman of India,” has been awarded the Kerala Sasthra Puraskaram 2024. The state’s highest scientific honor recognizes her pioneering contributions to defense research and missile technology.
Award Ceremony and Details:
- Presentation: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the award on February 1, 2026, during the inauguration of the 38th Kerala Science Congress.
- Venue: St. Albert’s College, Ernakulam.
- Award Components: The prize includes a cash award of ₹2 lakh, a citation, and a specialized trophy designed by renowned sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman.
A Trailblazing Career: Dr. Tessy Thomas made history as the first woman to lead a missile project in India. She served as the Project Director for the Agni-V intercontinental ballistic missile program and was the first Malayali woman to hold the post of Director General at DRDO.
Born on April 27, 1963, in Alappuzha, Dr. Thomas’s journey from an engineering student at Thrissur Government Engineering College to a national defense icon is an inspiration. Her research has been instrumental in strengthening India’s strategic defense capabilities and achieving self-reliance in guided missile systems.
The Kerala Sasthra Puraskaram is jointly instituted by the Department of Science and Technology and the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology, and Environment (KSCSTE) to honor scientists of Kerala origin who have achieved global excellence in their fields. (Kerala News.Gov)
For more details: Navamalayalam.com