Pride of India; DRDO Agni Mission Director Sheena Rani; born and brought up in Poojapura

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: "I have known Sheena since childhood. I felt happy when I came to know the achievements of Sheena through the news in Kerala Kaumudi yesterday..'' The neighbours of DRDO Agni Mission Director Sheena Rani, who took the helm for the success of India's 'Divyastra' Agni 5 ballistic missile, said with pride. Sheena Rani was born and brought up in a house near Magic Academy on Poojappura Kattu Road.

'She was good at studying. Well behaved too' - recalled Vatsala, a neighbour. Sheena sold her house 20 years ago and moved to Hyderabad with her husband. When Sheena was in class 10, her father Rajasekharan Nair, who worked in excise, died. Sheena and her sister Sheela Rani (Retired Special Secretary, State Home Department) grew up under the shadow of their mother Radhalakshmi, who was a civil engineer in PWD. Her mother died in 1997. Sheena's mother's native place is Villukuri near Nagercoil.

CET is also proud

Sheena studied at Cottonhill School in Vazhuthacaud and completed undergraduate studies at Neeramankara NSS College in 1982-83. Books were her friends. She took science books from the library and read them with interest. She studied late at night and got up early in the morning and started her journey towards her dream.

In 1984, she entered Thiruvananthapuram Government College of Engineering (CET) for B-Tech in Electronics and Communication on merit. Graduated in 1988. CET classmates still remember Sheena's enthusiasm for doing projects and presentations. CET is also famous for being the college where seven people, including the mission director of Chandrayaan 3, Mohanakumar, graduated. Principal Dr Savier JS said that they will try to give a welcome function to Sheena at the college.