India’s ‘Missile Woman’ Dr Tessy Thomas wins Kerala Sasthra Puraskaram 2024

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Sasthra Puraskaram for 2024 has been awarded to Dr Tessy Thomas, former Director General of DRDO and popularly known as India’s "Missile Woman.” The award was jointly presented by the Department of Science and Technology and the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment in recognition of her contributions to the field of defence research and development.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will present the award at the inaugural ceremony of the Kerala Science Congress, to be held on February 1 at St Albert's College, Ernakulam. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, a citation, and a sculpture designed by renowned artist Kanayi Kunhiraman.

Dr Tessy Thomas was born on April 27, 1963, in Alappuzha. She holds a BTech degree from Government Engineering College, Thrissur, and an MTech degree from the Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune. She is the chief architect and project director of the Agni intercontinental ballistic missile.