Honouring the life-long work of Kadambini Ganguly, one of the first female doctors in India, Google featured a doodle on its India homepage on Sunday, which marks the 160th birth anniversary, in recognition of her work in the field of medical science and women liberation. 

The search engine giant has previously paid tributes to many other female doctors, including Rukhmabai Raut, for being among the first female doctors of India, according to a Hindustan Times report. However, a tribute to Kadambini Ganguly for her pioneering work had been missing for long.

The doodle has been designed by Bengaluru-based artist Oddrija, who feels it is a “proud moment for a Bengali” as Kadambini Ganguly was a free-spirited woman who contributed significantly to the medical infrastructure of India.  

“In the year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen how medical infrastructure and doctors have been hailed as heroes and heroes for becoming the saviours the world needs,” Oddrija said. He added, “Looking back in time, Kadambini Ganguly was a frontrunner in her contribution to medical infrastructure in India with her indomitable spirit and inquisitiveness that landed her a triple diploma in her studies in Western Medicine.”

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Who was Kadambini Ganguly? 

Born on July 18, 1861, Kadambini Ganguly became the first woman to attain education at Calcutta Medical College in 1884. This was a massive achievement in the 19th century when the field of education was largely dominated by men. She was trained in European medicine, making her the first practising lady physician in South Asia in 1886. She further obtained training in Dublin, Glasgow, and Edinburgh in the year 1892, later joining Dufferin Hospital in Kolkata as a gynaecologist. 

The second wife of Brahmo Samaj leader Dwarakanath Ganguly, she revolutionised society to pave the way for the liberation of women and remains an inspiration eternally.