Google Doodle: Anna Mani, Indian Physicist & Meteorologist

Google celebrates the 140th birth anniversary of Anna Mani

To tribute to the Indian physicist and meteorologist Anna Mani, who played a significant role in the field of meteorological instrumentation, Google dedicated a special doodle to mark her 140th birth anniversary.

Taking notes from her journey, Anna Mani was born in a Syrian Christian family in Kerala in 1918 and made many valuable contributions to the physics and meteorological field. Her research made it possible for India to make accurate weather forecasts and laid the groundwork for the nation to harness renewable energy.

Moreover, due to her notable work history, Anna Mani also known as the "Weather Woman of India" was the seventh of eight children in her family.

The physicist and meteorologist Anna also worked under the physicist and Professor C V Raman researching the optical properties of ruby and diamond.

She graduated with B.Sc Honors in physics and chemistry from P Pachaiyappas College in Chennai in 1939 and published five research papers.

The renowned Malayali physicist KR Ramanathan, who was a researcher there, also encouraged Anna’s research activities. The University of Madras refused to grant Anna a doctorate, saying that an honours degree could not count as a post-graduate degree. But considering the originality of the research, Anna’s thesis is still preserved in Raman Archives, Bangalore.

In 1945, Anna went to Imperial College, London to pursue graduate studies in Physics.

After returning from London in 1948, Anna Mani joined India Meteorological Department in Pune, where she was responsible for arranging meteorological instruments.

Later, Anna Mani became Deputy Director General of the India Meteorological Department and held several key positions in the United Nations World Meteorological Organization.

Moreover, Anna won the INSA K. R. Ramanathan Medal for her remarkable scientific contributions back in 1987.