Shruti Suman
#Sheena Rani’s Inspiring Journey: From Kerala to the Pinnacle of India’s Missile Technology
New Delhi : Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the successful testing of India’s Agni-5 missile, equipped with multiple warheads, as Mission Divyastra, marking a significant milestone. Spearheading this project is Sheena Rani, a female scientist based in Hyderabad’s missile complex, who has been dedicated to Agni missile systems since 1999. Many recognize the Agni-5 missile, incorporating Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) technology, as the culmination of Ms. Rani’s 25-year tenure at India’s Defense Research Agency.
Who is Sheena Rani, the Scientist Dubbed ‘Divya Putri’?
Sheena Rani, hailed as the nation’s latest heroine and now known as ‘Divya Putri,’ joined the DRDO following the 1998 Pokhran Nuclear test. Since 1999, she has been intricately involved in the launch control systems of the Agni missile family.
Sheena Rani graduated from Thiruvananthapuram College of Engineering with a background in computer science and professional expertise in electronics and communications engineering. Prior to her tenure at the Defense Research Development Organization (DRDO)’s Advanced Systems Laboratory in Hyderabad, the 57-year-old spent eight years at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Center (VSSC), India’s premier civilian rocketry laboratory. Described as a ‘powerhouse of energy,’ she follows in the footsteps of Tessy Thomas, the esteemed missile engineer pivotal in the development of the Agni missile family.
How Sheena Jain Brought Pride to India
The nation, particularly Kerala, celebrates the achievements of Mission Divyastra, which involved upgrading the Agni-5 missile with multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicle technologies. This accomplishment positions India among an elite group of nations, including the US, UK, Russia, France, and China, with MIRV technology. India now stands as the sixth nation capable of deploying MIRV-capable missiles.
Drawing inspiration from Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, the ‘Missile Man’ and former Indian President, who led the DRDO, Sheena Rani mirrors his professional journey. Dr. Kalam initiated his career at ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Center before transitioning to the DRDO, where he spearheaded the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program.
