Interviewed by Biju Dharmapalan

Dr Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar, a distinguished scientist from CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), Bengaluru, pioneered the development of Drishti, India’s first indigenously designed runway visibility measuring system, at a time when we relied heavily on expensive imported technologies for aviation safety. Designed with exceptional precision and robustness, Drishti can predict ground visibility with remarkable accuracy even under extreme fog conditions. Today, Drishti serves as a critical safety system at major civilian airports and Indian Air Force bases across the country. The nation has recently recognised her contribution by awarding her the Padma Shri. In this in-depth conversation with Dr Biju Dharmapalan, Dr Shubha Venkatesha Iyengar reflects on her scientific journey in aerospace research and the quiet perseverance that led to the success of Drishti…read more on NOPR