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{{Indian name|Tessy|Thomas}}
{{short description|Indian scientist}}
{{short description|Indian scientist}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2015}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2022}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox officeholder
| name        = Tessy Thomas
| name        = Tessy Thomas
| image      = Tessy thomas.png
| image      = Tessy thomas.png
| caption    =  
| caption    =  
| office      = Director General (Aeronautical Systems), [[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]]
| term_start  = {{Start date|2018|06|01|df=yes}}
| term_end    =
| predecessor =
| successor  =
| birth_name  =  
| birth_name  =  
| birth_date  = {{Birth year and age|1963|4}}
| birth_date  = {{Birth-date and age|1963||}}
| birth_place = [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]]
| birth_place = [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]], India
| education  = B.Tech.[[Government Engineering College, Thrissur]], [[Defence Institute of Advanced Technology|M.Tech from Institute of Armament Technology, Pune]]  
| alma_mater  = {{Unbulleted_list|[[Government Engineering College, Thrissur]]<br>{{small|([[Bachelor of Technology]])}}|[[Defence Institute of Advanced Technology|Institute of Armament Technology, Pune]]<br>{{small|([[Master of Engineering]])}}|[[Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad]]<br>{{small|([[Doctor of Philosophy]])}}|[[Indira Gandhi National Open University|Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi]]<br>{{small|([[Master of Business Administration]])}}}}
| occupation  = [[Scientist]] at [[DRDO]]  
| occupation  = [[Scientist]] at [[Defence Research and Development Organisation|DRDO]]  
| title      = Scientist
| family      =
| spouse      = Saroj Kumar
| spouse      = Saroj Kumar
| children    = Tejas
| children    = Tejas
| relatives  =  
| relatives  =  
| ethnicity  =
| nationality = [[Indian people|Indian]]
| nationality = [[India]]n
| years_active= 1988 – present
| credits    = [[Agni (missile)|Agni Missile]] Project Director [[Agni-IV]]
| credits    = [[Agni (missile)|Agni Missile]] Project Director [[Agni-IV]]
| award      =   
| awards      =   
| website    =  
| website    =  
| salary      =
}}
}}


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==Early life==
==Early life==
Tessy Thomas was born in April 1963 in [[Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120422154720/http://www.malayaly.com/php/showProfileDisplay.php?linkid=0&id=128 Profile of Dr.Tessy Thomas]</ref> to a Syrian Christian family.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1120429/jsp/7days/story_15431535.jsp|title=We watched breathlessly, praying for inner strength as the missile took off|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-01-20}}</ref> She was named after Mother Teresa (Tessy being a derivative of Teresa or Tressia).<ref name=":1">{{Citation|last=DD News|title=Tejasvini: Interaction with Tessy Thomas, The Missile Women of India|date=2016-10-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l9tM3G2AGs|access-date=2018-01-20}}</ref> There is conflicting information on whether her father was an IFS officer or a small-time businessman or an accountant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aji |first1=Sowmya |title=India's Missile Woman: Tessy Thomas |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/profile/story/20120507-tessy-thomas-drdo-hyderabad-758193-2012-04-28 |work=India Today |issue=7 May 2012 |date=28 April 2012 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bagla |first1=Pallava |title=The 'missile woman' behind India's new ICBM |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-17781281 |work=BBC News |date=20 April 2012}}</ref><ref name=":4"/> When Thomas was 13 her father suffered from a stroke which left his right side paralyzed. Her mother who was a teacher remained a home maker to look after the family in such dire condition.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation|last=Atul Vidyalaya|title=Atul Vidyalaya - Speech - Agni Putri - Dr.Tessy Thomas, Missile Woman of India - 2015|date=2016-01-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ7jsY2N-i8|access-date=2018-01-20}}</ref>
Tessy Thomas was born in April 1963 in [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]], [[Kerala]],<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120422154720/http://www.malayaly.com/php/showProfileDisplay.php?linkid=0&id=128 Profile of Dr.Tessy Thomas]</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1120429/jsp/7days/story_15431535.jsp|title=We watched breathlessly, praying for inner strength as the missile took off|work=The Telegraph|access-date=2018-01-20}}</ref> She was named after [[Mother Teresa]] (Tessy being a derivative of Teresa or Tressia).<ref name=":1">{{Citation|last=DD News|title=Tejasvini: Interaction with Tessy Thomas, The Missile Women of India|date=2016-10-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6l9tM3G2AGs|access-date=2018-01-20}}</ref> There is conflicting information on whether her father was an [[Indian Foreign Service|IFS]] officer or a small-time businessman or an accountant.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Aji |first1=Sowmya |title=India's Missile Woman: Tessy Thomas |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/profile/story/20120507-tessy-thomas-drdo-hyderabad-758193-2012-04-28 |work=India Today |issue=7 May 2012 |date=28 April 2012 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Bagla |first1=Pallava |title=The 'missile woman' behind India's new ICBM |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-17781281 |work=BBC News |date=20 April 2022}}</ref><ref name=":4"/> When Thomas was 13, her father suffered from a stroke which left his right side paralyzed. Her mother who was a teacher, remained a homemaker to look after the family in such dire condition.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2">{{Citation|last=Atul Vidyalaya|title=Atul Vidyalaya - Speech - Agni Putri - Dr.Tessy Thomas, Missile Woman of India - 2015|date=2016-01-04|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQ7jsY2N-i8|access-date=2018-01-20}}</ref>


She grew up near Thumba Rocket Launching Station and says her fascination with rockets and missiles began then. She was stimulated even by the wonderment of aircraft flying.<ref name=":3">{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17781281|title=The 'missile woman' behind India's new ICBM|last=Bagla|first=Pallav|publisher=[[BBC Online]]|access-date=21 April 2012}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
She grew up near [[Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station]] and says her fascination with rockets and missiles began then. She was stimulated even by the wonderment of aircraft flying.<ref name=":3">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17781281|title=The 'missile woman' behind India's new ICBM|last=Bagla|first=Pallav|work=BBC News |date=20 April 2012 |access-date=21 April 2022}}</ref><ref name=":1" />


Thomas has four other sisters and one brother. She has mentioned in interviews about her parents ensuring their children received proper education and encouraging the six siblings to pursue careers of their own interest so that they can excel. Two of her siblings are engineers while another pursued a MBA.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Citation|last=INDIA SCIENCE NEWS ISN|title=Tessy Thomas.mp4|date=2013-02-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdvpvV13o9M|access-date=2018-01-20}}</ref>
Thomas has four other sisters and one brother. She has mentioned in interviews about her parents ensuring their children received proper education and encouraging the six siblings to pursue careers of their own interest so that they can excel. Two of her siblings are engineers while another pursued an [[Master of Business Administration|MBA]].<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Citation|last=INDIA SCIENCE NEWS ISN|title=Tessy Thomas.mp4|date=2013-02-09|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdvpvV13o9M|access-date=2018-01-20}}</ref>


Thomas credited her home town and mother for her personal development. “I grew up with the pretty backwaters of Kerala as my backyard. I guess nature gives you strength and good thoughts. The power of nature cannot be undermined in one’s development.” Of her mother she has said, “It must have been tough for my mother — who was not allowed to work — to look after us on her own. Yet she made sure each of her five daughters and one son had a good education.... I’ve inherited her strong will for sure. I am equally persevering and determined like my mother.”<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4"/>
Thomas credited her hometown and mother for her personal development. “I grew up with the pretty backwaters of Kerala as my backyard. I guess nature gives you strength and good thoughts. The power of nature cannot be undermined in one’s development.” Of her mother she has said, “It must have been tough for my mother — who was not allowed to work — to look after us on her own. Yet she made sure each of her five daughters and one son had a good education.... I’ve inherited her strong will for sure. I am equally persevering and determined like my mother.”<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4"/>


== Education ==
== Education ==
Tessy Thomas studied in St. Michael's Higher Secondary School and St. Joseph's Girl's Higher Secondary School in Alleppey (Alappzuha). She had a natural flair for mathematics and physics. She scored one hundred percent in mathematics during her 11th and 12th years in school. In the same years she had also scored more than ninety five percent in science.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4"/><ref name=":2" />
Tessy Thomas studied in St. Michael's Higher Secondary School and St. Joseph's Girl's Higher Secondary School in [[Alappuzha district|Alappuzha]]. She had a natural flair for mathematics and physics. She scored one hundred percent in mathematics during her 11th and 12th years in school. In the same years she had also scored more than ninety five percent in science.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":4"/><ref name=":2" />


She took an education loan of Rs. 100 per month from State Bank of India to study engineering from Government Engineering College, Thrissur. She also received a scholarship that covered her tuition fees having been entered into the first ten students of the merit list during her admissions. The loan gave her the courage to live in a hostel while pursuing her B. Tech.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.beaninspirer.com/tessy-thomas-first-indian-woman-scientist-head-missile-project-india/|title=Tessy Thomas – The First Indian Woman Scientist to Head a Missile Project in India|date=2016-12-22|work=Be An Inspirer|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en}}</ref>
She took an education loan of {{currency|100|INR}} per month from [[State Bank of India]] to study engineering from [[Government Engineering College, Thrissur]]. She also received a scholarship that covered her tuition fees having been entered into the first ten students of the merit list during her admissions. The loan gave her the courage to live in a hostel while pursuing her [[Bachelor of Technology|B.Tech]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|url=https://www.beaninspirer.com/tessy-thomas-first-indian-woman-scientist-head-missile-project-india/|title=Tessy Thomas – The First Indian Woman Scientist to Head a Missile Project in India|date=2016-12-22|work=Be An Inspirer|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en}}</ref>


In both school and college Thomas was involved in extracurricular activities including political issues. She excelled in sports especially badminton bringing much recognition to her alma maters.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://www.indianfrontliners.com/article/24184-dr-tessy-thomas/35-frontline-articles|title=Dr. Tessy Thomas|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en}}</ref>
In both school and college Tessy was involved in extracurricular activities including political issues. She excelled in sports especially badminton bringing much recognition to her alma maters.<ref name=":6">{{Cite news|url=http://www.indianfrontliners.com/article/24184-dr-tessy-thomas/35-frontline-articles|title=Dr. Tessy Thomas|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en}}</ref>


She also has an M.Tech in Guided Missile from the Institute of Armament Technology, Pune (now known as the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology).<ref name=":5" /> She also pursued MBA in Operations Management and Ph.D. in guidance missile under DRDO.<ref name=":4"/>
She also has an [[Master of Technology|M.Tech]] in Guided Missile from the [[Defence Institute of Advanced Technology|Institute of Armament Technology, Pune]] (now known as the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology).<ref name=":5" /> She also pursued [[Master of Business Administration|MBA]] in Operations Management and [[Doctor of Philosophy|Ph.D.]] in guidance missile under the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]].<ref name=":4"/>


==Career==
==Career==
Tessy Thomas joined DRDO in 1988,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/122711/missile-woman-agniputri-tessy-thomas-drdo-kerala-india/|title=In Love With Rocket Science: The Story of Tessy Thomas, India's Missile Woman|date=2017-11-30|work=The Better India|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en}}</ref> where she worked on the design and developments of the new generation ballistic missile, Agni. She was appointed by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam for the Agni Project.<ref name=":4"/>
Thomas joined the [[Defence Research and Development Organisation]] in 1988,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thebetterindia.com/122711/missile-woman-agniputri-tessy-thomas-drdo-kerala-india/|title=In Love With Rocket Science: The Story of Tessy Thomas, India's Missile Woman|date=2017-11-30|work=The Better India|access-date=2018-01-20|language=en}}</ref> where she worked on the design and developments of the new generation ballistic missile, Agni. She was appointed by [[A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]] for the Agni Project.<ref name=":4"/>
In addition, Tessy was the associate project director of the 3,000&nbsp;km range [[Agni-III]] missile project.<ref name="kerala">[http://www.stateofkerala.in/news/dr%20tessy%20thomas%20is%20first%20woman%20scientist%20to%20head%20missile%20project.php Smt. Tessy Thomas is first woman scientist to head missile project] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422005959/http://www.stateofkerala.in/news/dr%20tessy%20thomas%20is%20first%20woman%20scientist%20to%20head%20missile%20project.php |date=22 April 2012 }}.</ref> She was the project director for mission [[Agni-IV|Agni IV]] which was successfully tested in 2011.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120419134057/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-17/india/30409431_1_wheelers-island-agni-programme-agni-missiles 'Agni Putri' Tessy Thomas breaks glass ceiling]</ref> Later, Tessy was appointed as the project director of the 5,000&nbsp;km range [[Agni-V]] in 2009, which was successfully tested on 19 April 2012. In 2018, she became the Director-General, Aeronautical Systems of DRDO.<ref name="thbl"/>
In addition, Thomas was the associate project director of the 3,000&nbsp;km range [[Agni-III]] missile project.<ref name="kerala">[http://www.stateofkerala.in/news/dr%20tessy%20thomas%20is%20first%20woman%20scientist%20to%20head%20missile%20project.php Smt. Tessy Thomas is first woman scientist to head missile project] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120422005959/http://www.stateofkerala.in/news/dr%20tessy%20thomas%20is%20first%20woman%20scientist%20to%20head%20missile%20project.php |date=22 April 2012 }}.</ref> She was the project director for mission [[Agni-IV|Agni IV]] which was successfully tested in 2011.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20120419134057/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-17/india/30409431_1_wheelers-island-agni-programme-agni-missiles 'Agni Putri' Tessy Thomas breaks glass ceiling]</ref> Later, Thomas was appointed as the project director of the 5,000&nbsp;km range [[Agni-V]] in 2009, which was successfully tested on 19 April 2012. In 2018, she became the Director-General, Aeronautical Systems of DRDO.<ref name="thbl"/>


She is a fellow in various universities such as the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), Institution of Engineers-India (IEI) and Tata Administrative Service (TAS).<ref name=":4" />
She is a fellow at the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), Institution of Engineers-India (IEI) and Tata Administrative Service (TAS).<ref name=":4" />


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
She is married to Saroj Kumar, a commander in the Indian Navy and they have a son, Tejas.<ref name="IWSA">{{cite journal|date=September 2008|title=Meet India's "Missile Woman".|url=http://www.iwsa.net/BullJan09final.pdf|journal=IWSA Newsletter|volume=34|issue=3|access-date=19 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917090903/http://www.iwsa.net/BullJan09final.pdf|archive-date=17 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
She is married to Saroj Kumar, a commander in the [[Indian Navy]] and they have a son, Tejas.<ref name="IWSA">{{cite journal|date=September 2008|title=Meet India's "Missile Woman".|url=http://www.iwsa.net/BullJan09final.pdf|journal=IWSA Newsletter|volume=34|issue=3|access-date=19 April 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130917090903/http://www.iwsa.net/BullJan09final.pdf|archive-date=17 September 2013|df=dmy-all}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
Thomas received the [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award]] for her contribution for making [[India]] self-reliant in the field of [[Integrated Guided Missile Development Program|missile technology]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Scientist honoured for work on Agni missile tech|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/features/scientist-honoured-for-workagni-missile-tech_764008.html|access-date=2 October 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Missile woman' Tessy Thomas conferred Shastri award|url=http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/missile-woman-tessy-thomas-conferred-shastri-award-476024.html|access-date=2 October 2012|date=October 2, 2012}}</ref>
Tessy Thomas received the [[Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award]] for her contribution for making [[India]] self-reliant in the field of [[Integrated Guided Missile Development Program|missile technology]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Scientist honoured for work on Agni missile tech|url=http://www.moneycontrol.com/news/features/scientist-honoured-for-workagni-missile-tech_764008.html|access-date=2 October 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title='Missile woman' Tessy Thomas conferred Shastri award|url=http://www.firstpost.com/fwire/missile-woman-tessy-thomas-conferred-shastri-award-476024.html|access-date=2 October 2012|date=October 2, 2022}}</ref>


She was also the recipient of the Dr Thomas Cangan Leadership Award at the [[Faculty of Management Studies – Institute of Rural Management, Jaipur (FMS-IRM)]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=6th Thought Leadership Lecture Series at FMS-IRM |url=https://www.iirm.ac.in/event/5 |website=The Faculty of Management Studies, Institute of Rural Management |access-date=24 February 2020}}</ref>
She was also the recipient of the Dr Thomas Cangan Leadership Award at the [[Faculty of Management Studies – Institute of Rural Management, Jaipur (FMS-IRM)]] in 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=6th Thought Leadership Lecture Series at FMS-IRM |url=https://www.iirm.ac.in/event/5 |website=The Faculty of Management Studies, Institute of Rural Management |access-date=24 February 2022}}</ref>


== Publications ==
== Publications ==
* {{Cite journal|last=Thomas|first=Tessy|date=2005-07-01|title=Guidance Scheme for Solid Propelled Vehicle during Atmospheric Phase|journal=Defence Science Journal|language=en|volume=55|issue=3|pages=253–264|doi=10.14429/dsj.55.1987|doi-access=free}}
* {{Cite journal|last=Thomas|first=Tessy|date=2005-07-01|title=Guidance Scheme for Solid Propelled Vehicle during Atmospheric Phase|journal=Defence Science Journal|language=en|volume=55|issue=3|pages=253–264|doi=10.14429/dsj.55.1987|doi-access=free}}
* {{Cite journal|last1=Sudhakar|first1=R.|last2=Venkanna|first2=M.|last3=Rao|first3=B. V. Papa|last4=Thomas|first4=Tessy|date=2017|title=Prediction of Real Gas and Non-Equilibrium Effects in the Gas Dynamics of Canister Launch Missile|journal=30th International Symposium on Ballistics|doi=10.12783/ballistics2017/16878|isbn=978-1-60595-419-6}}
* {{cite book |doi=10.12783/ballistics2017/16878 |chapter=Prediction of Real Gas and Non-Equilibrium Effects in the Gas Dynamics of Canister Launch Missile |title=30th International Symposium on Ballistics |year=2017 |last1=Sudhakar |first1=R. |last2=Venkanna |first2=M. |last3=Rao |first3=B. V. Papa |last4=Thomas |first4=Tessy |isbn=978-1-60595-419-6 }}
* {{Cite web|url=https://search.proquest.com/openview/b7b53e7a1b3952bc5b6e2f890a907c63/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=2028808|title=Online Trajectory Reshaping for a Launch Vehicle to Minimize the Final Error Caused by Navigation and Guidance - ProQuest|website=search.proquest.com|language=en|access-date=2018-01-21}}
* {{cite journal |id={{ProQuest|1413260295}} |last1=Thomas |first1=Tessy |last2=Jahagirdar |first2=D R |last3=Krishna |first3=I V Murali |last4=Varaprasad |first4=L. |title=Online Trajectory Reshaping for a Launch Vehicle to Minimize the Final Error Caused by Navigation and Guidance |journal=Defence Science Journal |location=New Delhi |volume=63 |issue=3 |date=May 2013 }}
* {{Cite journal|last1=Ghogale|first1=Shrikant|last2=Venkanna|first2=M.|last3=Rao|first3=B. V. Papa|last4=Thomas|first4=Tessy|date=2017|title=Developmental Challenges during Realization of High Progressivity Rocket Motor|url=http://dpi-proceedings.com/index.php/ballistics30/article/view/16860|journal=30th International Symposium on Ballistics|doi=10.12783/ballistics2017/16860|isbn=978-1-60595-419-6}}
* {{cite book |doi=10.12783/ballistics2017/16860 |chapter=Developmental Challenges during Realization of High Progressivity Rocket Motor |title=30th International Symposium on Ballistics |year=2017 |last1=Ghogale |first1=Shrikant |last2=Venkanna |first2=M. |last3=Rao |first3=B.V. Papa |last4=Thomas |first4=Tessy |isbn=978-1-60595-419-6 }}


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 16:33, 24 December 2022

In this Indian name, the name Thomas is a patronymic, and the person should be referred to by the given name, Tessy.


Tessy Thomas
Tessy thomas.png
Director General (Aeronautical Systems), DRDO
Assumed office
1 June 2018 (2018-06-01)
Personal details
Born1963 (1963) (age 62)
Alappuzha, Kerala, India
NationalityIndian
Spouse(s)Saroj Kumar
ChildrenTejas
Alma mater
OccupationScientist at DRDO

Tessy Thomas (born April 1963) is an Indian scientist and Director General of Aeronautical Systems and the former Project Director for Agni-IV missile in Defence Research and Development Organisation.[1] She is the first ever woman scientist to head a missile project in India.

Early life

Tessy Thomas was born in April 1963 in Alappuzha, Kerala,[2][3] She was named after Mother Teresa (Tessy being a derivative of Teresa or Tressia).[4] There is conflicting information on whether her father was an IFS officer or a small-time businessman or an accountant.[5][6][3] When Thomas was 13, her father suffered from a stroke which left his right side paralyzed. Her mother who was a teacher, remained a homemaker to look after the family in such dire condition.[4][7]

She grew up near Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station and says her fascination with rockets and missiles began then. She was stimulated even by the wonderment of aircraft flying.[8][4]

Thomas has four other sisters and one brother. She has mentioned in interviews about her parents ensuring their children received proper education and encouraging the six siblings to pursue careers of their own interest so that they can excel. Two of her siblings are engineers while another pursued an MBA.[4][9]

Thomas credited her hometown and mother for her personal development. “I grew up with the pretty backwaters of Kerala as my backyard. I guess nature gives you strength and good thoughts. The power of nature cannot be undermined in one’s development.” Of her mother she has said, “It must have been tough for my mother — who was not allowed to work — to look after us on her own. Yet she made sure each of her five daughters and one son had a good education.... I’ve inherited her strong will for sure. I am equally persevering and determined like my mother.”[4][3]

Education

Tessy Thomas studied in St. Michael's Higher Secondary School and St. Joseph's Girl's Higher Secondary School in Alappuzha. She had a natural flair for mathematics and physics. She scored one hundred percent in mathematics during her 11th and 12th years in school. In the same years she had also scored more than ninety five percent in science.[4][3][7]

She took an education loan of ₹100 per month from State Bank of India to study engineering from Government Engineering College, Thrissur. She also received a scholarship that covered her tuition fees having been entered into the first ten students of the merit list during her admissions. The loan gave her the courage to live in a hostel while pursuing her B.Tech.[4][10]

In both school and college Tessy was involved in extracurricular activities including political issues. She excelled in sports especially badminton bringing much recognition to her alma maters.[11]

She also has an M.Tech in Guided Missile from the Institute of Armament Technology, Pune (now known as the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology).[10] She also pursued MBA in Operations Management and Ph.D. in guidance missile under the Defence Research and Development Organisation.[3]

Career

Thomas joined the Defence Research and Development Organisation in 1988,[12] where she worked on the design and developments of the new generation ballistic missile, Agni. She was appointed by A. P. J. Abdul Kalam for the Agni Project.[3] In addition, Thomas was the associate project director of the 3,000 km range Agni-III missile project.[13] She was the project director for mission Agni IV which was successfully tested in 2011.[14] Later, Thomas was appointed as the project director of the 5,000 km range Agni-V in 2009, which was successfully tested on 19 April 2012. In 2018, she became the Director-General, Aeronautical Systems of DRDO.[1]

She is a fellow at the Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), Institution of Engineers-India (IEI) and Tata Administrative Service (TAS).[3]

Personal life

She is married to Saroj Kumar, a commander in the Indian Navy and they have a son, Tejas.[15]

Awards

Tessy Thomas received the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for her contribution for making India self-reliant in the field of missile technology.[16][17]

She was also the recipient of the Dr Thomas Cangan Leadership Award at the Faculty of Management Studies – Institute of Rural Management, Jaipur (FMS-IRM) in 2018.[18]

Publications

  • Thomas, Tessy (1 July 2005). "Guidance Scheme for Solid Propelled Vehicle during Atmospheric Phase". Defence Science Journal. 55 (3): 253–264. doi:10.14429/dsj.55.1987.
  • Sudhakar, R.; Venkanna, M.; Rao, B. V. Papa; Thomas, Tessy (2017). "Prediction of Real Gas and Non-Equilibrium Effects in the Gas Dynamics of Canister Launch Missile". 30th International Symposium on Ballistics. doi:10.12783/ballistics2017/16878. ISBN 978-1-60595-419-6.
  • Thomas, Tessy; Jahagirdar, D R; Krishna, I V Murali; Varaprasad, L. (May 2013). "Online Trajectory Reshaping for a Launch Vehicle to Minimize the Final Error Caused by Navigation and Guidance". Defence Science Journal. New Delhi. 63 (3). ProQuest 1413260295.
  • Ghogale, Shrikant; Venkanna, M.; Rao, B.V. Papa; Thomas, Tessy (2017). "Developmental Challenges during Realization of High Progressivity Rocket Motor". 30th International Symposium on Ballistics. doi:10.12783/ballistics2017/16860. ISBN 978-1-60595-419-6.

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 M Somasekhar (29 May 2018). "Tessy Thomas elevated as D-G Aero of DRDO". The Hindu Business Line.
  2. ↑ Profile of Dr.Tessy Thomas
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 "We watched breathlessly, praying for inner strength as the missile took off". The Telegraph. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 DD News (9 October 2016), Tejasvini: Interaction with Tessy Thomas, The Missile Women of India, retrieved 20 January 2018
  5. ↑ Aji, Sowmya (28 April 2012). "India's Missile Woman: Tessy Thomas". India Today. No. 7 May 2012.
  6. ↑ Bagla, Pallava (20 April 2022). "The 'missile woman' behind India's new ICBM". BBC News.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 Atul Vidyalaya (4 January 2016), Atul Vidyalaya - Speech - Agni Putri - Dr.Tessy Thomas, Missile Woman of India - 2015, retrieved 20 January 2018
  8. ↑ Bagla, Pallav (20 April 2012). "The 'missile woman' behind India's new ICBM". BBC News. Retrieved 21 April 2022.
  9. ↑ INDIA SCIENCE NEWS ISN (9 February 2013), Tessy Thomas.mp4, retrieved 20 January 2018
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Tessy Thomas – The First Indian Woman Scientist to Head a Missile Project in India". Be An Inspirer. 22 December 2016. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  11. ↑ "Dr. Tessy Thomas". Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  12. ↑ "In Love With Rocket Science: The Story of Tessy Thomas, India's Missile Woman". The Better India. 30 November 2017. Retrieved 20 January 2018.
  13. ↑ Smt. Tessy Thomas is first woman scientist to head missile project Archived 22 April 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
  14. ↑ 'Agni Putri' Tessy Thomas breaks glass ceiling
  15. ↑ "Meet India's "Missile Woman"" (PDF). IWSA Newsletter. 34 (3). September 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 September 2013. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  16. ↑ "Scientist honoured for work on Agni missile tech". Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  17. ↑ "'Missile woman' Tessy Thomas conferred Shastri award". 2 October 2022. Retrieved 2 October 2012.
  18. ↑ "6th Thought Leadership Lecture Series at FMS-IRM". The Faculty of Management Studies, Institute of Rural Management. Retrieved 24 February 2022.

External links

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