Reimagining Satyendra Nath Bose: A quantum legacy of inclusion and innovation

In the annals of quantum physics, few names carry as much weight as Satyendra Nath Bose. Revered for his pathbreaking contributions to quantum theory — particularly the Bose-Einstein statistics that reshaped the understanding of particle behavior — Bose’s scientific genius has been celebrated globally.

But what remains less recognized is the social foresight that accompanied his scientific breakthroughs: his commitment to inclusion and gender equity in science.

At a time when Indian society — and academia — was deeply patriarchal, Bose emerged not only as a scientific revolutionary but also as a quiet champion for women in physics. His values and mentorship laid early groundwork for the rise of women in quantum science, a movement that has since gained powerful momentum in India and beyond.

A Quantum Pioneer with a Vision

In the 1920s, Satyendra Nath Bose, then a young physicist from Bengal, sent a paper on quantum statistics to Albert Einstein. The result was a collaboration that would give rise to Bose-Einstein statistics and, decades later, the discovery of Bose-Einstein condensates — a new state of matter.

These contributions formed a cornerstone of modern quantum mechanics and continue to shape emerging technologies such as quantum computing, secure communication, and precision sensing.

What set Bose apart, however, was not just his intellect, but his willingness to challenge social norms. Unlike many of his contemporaries — including Nobel laureate C.V. Raman, who initially denied women lab access — Bose mentored Purnima Sinha, who in 1956 became the first Indian woman to earn a PhD in physics.

Her innovative research used recycled wartime X-ray equipment and revealed early structural similarities between clay and DNA. Bose also supported Asima Chatterjee, a pioneer in chemical physics, further proving his belief in merit over gender.

Bose’s Intellectual Descendants: Women Leading the Quantum Charge

Bose’s legacy lives on, not just through physics textbooks, but through the accomplishments of Indian women now advancing the frontiers of quantum science.

Dr. Tanusri Saha-Dasgupta — Director of the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Saha-Dasgupta is a global leader in computational quantum physics, exploring quantum sensors and strongly correlated materials.

As the first female director of her institute, she overcame both gender barriers and personal health challenges to become a beacon of scientific excellence.

Dr. Rupamanjari Ghosh — A noted quantum optics researcher and former vice-chancellor of Shiv Nadar University, Ghosh’s work includes the discovery of novel entangled photon sources and leadership in India’s National Quantum Mission.

Her international collaborations, including with UC Berkeley, have made her a force in shaping India’s quantum future and mentoring rising women physicists.

The Gender Gap in Indian STEM — and the Push to Bridge it

India produces the highest proportion of female STEM graduates in the world (43%), but that promise is not yet reflected in its workforce. Women make up just 14% of STEM professionals and 18.6% of researchers, with social expectations, career breaks during motherhood, and workplace bias as key barriers.

Institutions like the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) had never appointed a female director general—until Nallathamby Kalaiselvi broke that pattern in 2022. Still, as of that year, only 5 out of 35 CSIR labs were led by women.

Yet, as Bose’s legacy illustrates, change begins with visionary support and institutional will. And today, change is gaining momentum.

Mentorship, Movements, and the Next Generation

Just as Bose mentored women into the scientific fold, today’s women leaders are creating space for the next generation:

Swastika Chatterjee, at IISER Kolkata, explores quantum effects in Earth sciences and completed her PhD thesis days before giving birth.

Joyee Ghosh, at IIT Delhi, pioneers quantum communication systems. A former Marie Curie and Humboldt fellow, Ghosh was mentored by Rupamanjari Ghosh and embodies the resilience needed to thrive in Indian physics.

Initiatives like SheQuantum, founded by Nithyasri Srivathsan, offer e-learning platforms in quantum computing, while international groups like Women for Quantum (W4Q) are pushing for global equity in the field.

Celebrating 100 Years of Bose’s Legacy: The 2024 Quantum Conference

In July 2024, the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata hosted an international conference marking the centenary of Bose’s quantum statistics work with Einstein. The event spotlighted women at the forefront of quantum science in India and worldwide.

The three-day celebration included:

6 keynote talks by established women physicists

10 invited talks by early-career researchers

3 special lectures

2 panel discussions on the challenges and opportunities for women in quantum

A poster session featuring PhD students

The panels tackled issues like funding inequality, work-life balance, and institutional reform, with voices like Aditi Sen De, Urbasi Sinha, Shohini Ghose, Indrani Bose, and Anjana Devi sharing their insights.

Indian Women at the Quantum Frontier — from state universities to elite research hubs, Indian women are transforming quantum science:

Aditi Sen De (Harish Chandra Research Institute): Expert in quantum networks and thermal machines, one of just two women to win the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize.
Urbasi Sinha (Raman Research Institute): Photonics and quantum communication expert, co-founder of a quantum tech start-up.
Usha Devi A R (Bangalore University): Theorist known for visual models of spin states in quantum sensing.
Kasturi Saha (IIT Bombay): Project director of India’s only woman-led National Quantum Mission hub.

Women are also making waves in government and industry:

• Anindita Banerjee at CDAC
• Anupama Ray at IBM
• Rohini Srivathsa at Microsoft India and South Asia

Globally, women like Anjana Devi (Germany), Nilanjana Datta (UK), Nandini Trivedi and Vidya Madhavan (US), and Shohini Ghose (Canada) continue to push boundaries in quantum materials and information theory.

A Legacy of Vision, Rewritten for the Future

Satyendra Nath Bose didn’t just co-create a quantum statistical framework; he created a cultural possibility—that science could be more inclusive, merit-based, and diverse. His mentorship of women like Purnima Sinha was an early act of resistance against gendered norms. A century later, that ripple has become a wave.

To honor Bose’s full legacy — both scientific and social — India must continue building equitable scientific ecosystems: mentorship networks, inclusive hiring practices, accessible childcare, and gender-conscious funding structures. Because quantum science doesn’t just need precision. It needs perspective.

As Bose once imagined particles existing in perfect harmony under quantum rules, we too must imagine—and realize—a future where brilliance knows no gender.