“Dr. Sudipa Chakravarty: A Trailblazer in Genetics, Education, and Social Welfare”

Dr. Sudipa Chakravarty, currently serving as the Principal of the Institute of Genetic Engineering and as the Professor and Head of the Department of Genetics in Badu, Kolkata, West Bengal, has a remarkable life journey marked by resilience, innovation, and dedication to societal well-being.

Born in the quaint town of Aranghata, Nadia district, West Bengal, Dr. Chakravarty was driven by ambition from a young age, aspiring to achieve great heights in life. She pursued her BSc(H) degree at Bethun College, Kolkata, graduating in 1987, followed by a Ph.D. in Genetics from Calcutta University. Early in her career, she co-founded the Thalassaemia Foundation, an NGO aimed at preventing thalassaemia in remote villages of West Bengal, collaborating with renowned personalities like Shri Mithun Chakraborty.

After marrying Dr. Amit Chakravarty, a distinguished Molecular Biologist, she embarked on a journey of post-doctoral training in Thalassaemia and Genetics, traversing countries like the UK, USA, Thailand, and others. In 2003, fueled by her passion for community service and education, she established her own institute, pioneering Genetics and Biotechnology education in Eastern India. Notably, she introduced initiatives like “MANJARI” for slum children’s education and “AKHSHAR” for adult education.

Her personal life underwent profound change when she was blessed with a daughter named Srinwanti, who became a catalyst for positive transformation.

Dr. Sudipa Chakravarty’s accolades and contributions span both national and international spheres. She received prestigious awards such as “Certificate” and Award in “Prevent Thalassaemia” from the Thalassaemia International Federation and was recognized as the “Outstanding Young Person of Calcutta for 1999” for her social work. Her institute earned acclaim as a “Premier Research Institute in Genetics & Biotech” and received the “Times Bengal Icon” Award.

As an author, she has penned several books and published over 60 papers in esteemed national and international journals, consolidating her reputation as a prolific researcher and scholar. She holds life memberships in esteemed organizations like the Indian Science Congress Association and has contributed popular science articles to Bengali newspapers on diverse topics ranging from thalassaemia to genetic diseases.

Beyond academia, she is deeply committed to societal welfare. She emphasizes values-based education, fostering students’ sense of social responsibility alongside academic excellence. Her approach as an educationalist is to understand students’ mindsets and instill strong values conducive to a healthy society. Her dedication to training future geneticists and her multifaceted contributions epitomize her unwavering commitment to societal well-being and education.

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