NDTV has honored Professor G. Madhavi Latha and Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla as 'Science Icons of the Year'. The awards were presented at the NDTV 'Indian of the Year' event, which recognizes outstanding contributions across various fields.
Professor G. Madhavi Latha, a professor of Civil Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, received the award for her instrumental role in the construction of the Chenab Bridge. The Chenab Bridge, which was inaugurated on June 6, 2025, stands as the world's highest railway single-arch bridge, a testament to engineering excellence in the challenging terrain of Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. Latha served as a geotechnical consultant on the project for 17 years, addressing complex geological challenges with innovative solutions and a 'design-as-you-go' approach. Her expertise ensured the bridge's stability and resilience against seismic activity and extreme weather conditions.
Dr. Latha earned her B.Tech in Civil Engineering from Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University in 1992, followed by an M.Tech from NIT Warangal and a Ph.D. in Geotechnical Engineering from IIT Madras in 2000. Before joining IISc in 2004, she was a faculty member at IIT Guwahati. At IISc, she became the first female faculty member in the Civil Engineering Department and chairs the Centre for Sustainable Technologies. She has also been recognized with awards such as the Best Woman Geotechnical Researcher award from the Indian Geotechnical Society in 2021 and being named among the 'Top 75 Women in STEAM' in India in 2022.
Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla was also named a 'Science Icon of the Year'. Shukla made history by becoming the first Indian to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS) on June 26, 2025. He flew aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft as part of the Ax-4 mission, operated by Axiom Space. This mission marked India's first human presence on the ISS and is a crucial step before ISRO's Gaganyaan mission.
Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Shukla was commissioned into the IAF in June 2006. He is a seasoned test pilot with over 2,000 flight hours on various aircraft, including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, and MiG-29. In 2019, he was selected as one of the four astronaut-designates for Gaganyaan and underwent training at the Yuri Gagarin Cosmonaut Training Center in Russia. Shukla served as the pilot for the historic Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4) to the International Space Station. During his time on the ISS, Shukla conducted scientific experiments and technology trials.
Shukla's journey to the ISS began after being inspired by the Kargil War in 1999. He graduated from the National Defence Academy in 2005 and was commissioned into the IAF in 2006. He also holds a Master of Engineering degree in aerospace engineering from the Indian Institute of Science.
The recognition of Professor Latha and Group Captain Shukla highlights India's growing prowess in both engineering and space exploration. Their achievements serve as an inspiration to the next generation of scientists and engineers in India.
