Anna Mani

Born in 1918, she began her scientific career studying physics before joining the India Meteorological Department. There, she specialized in designing and standardizing meteorological instruments used to measure rainfall, solar radiation, wind speed, and atmospheric conditions. Her work greatly improved the reliability of India's weather observations and laid the foundation for the country's renewable energy research, particularly in solar and wind energy. Unlike many scientists who focused on theory alone, Mani believed that precise instruments were essential for producing trustworthy scientific data. Despite working in a male-dominated profession, she became one of India's leading meteorologists and later directed important national research programs. Today, her contributions continue to support climate science, disaster preparedness, and sustainable energy, even though her name remains far less recognized than the impact of her work.