Dr Radha triumphs on global stage with groundbreaking cotton research
Dr Radha, a young woman from the remote village of Bobri in Himachal Pradesh’s Sirmaur district, has gained international recognition by excelling at the prestigious World Cotton Research Conference-8 (WCRC-8) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Representing Himachal Pradesh, she won first prize for her creative cotton craft and also presented her research paper, “Enhanced Lignin Extraction from Cotton Stalk Using Ultrasound-Assisted Ionic Liquid Method,” which was selected for an oral presentation.
Her innovative research and exceptional skills set her apart on a global platform, making her the first participant from the state to attend this global event. Additionally, she impressed the judges by crafting a unique globe under the theme “One World - One Cotton” within six minutes, winning a $200 prize, along with an extra $100 for her craft.
Dr Radha’s success story is rooted in her perseverance. Her mother, Vidya Devi, sold ice cream to fund her education. Despite these challenges, Dr. Radha became the first girl from her region to make a mark in the field of cotton research. She now works as an assistant professor at Shoolini University and credits the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and the university’s leadership for their support.
Radha completed her schooling in Shillai, later graduating from Portmore School in Shimla and earning her MSc from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna Central University. Her hard work, often involving 14 to 15 hours of daily lab research, has inspired pride not just for her family, but also for young women from rural backgrounds aspiring to make their mark on the global stage.
