Here are additional Indian scientists and innovators whose groundbreaking contributions have had a profound global impact, yet remain underrecognized in India and beyond:

1. Dr. Yellapragada Subbarow (1895–1948)

• Contribution: Discovered the function of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the energy currency of cells, and developed methotrexate, one of the first chemotherapy drugs for cancer. His work on folic acid also helped treat anemia and paved the way for modern pharmacology.
• Impact: His discoveries underpin much of modern biochemistry and cancer treatment, saving countless lives. Methotrexate remains a cornerstone in cancer therapy.
• Recognition (or lack thereof): Worked in the U.S. and was overlooked for major awards like the Nobel Prize. In India, his name is barely mentioned in textbooks, and he died with little fanfare in 1948. No major memorials or awards honor him in his homeland.
• Story: A quiet biochemist from Andhra Pradesh, Subbarow faced financial struggles and discrimination abroad but persisted in his research. His work was so foundational that others built careers on it, yet he remained in the shadows.

1. Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany (1926–2020)

• Contribution: Known as the “Father of Fiber Optics,” Kapany pioneered the technology that transmits light through flexible glass fibers, enabling high-speed internet, medical endoscopy, and global telecommunications.
• Impact: Fiber optics revolutionized communication, medicine, and industry, forming the backbone of the digital age. Billions rely on this technology daily.
• Recognition (or lack thereof): Despite publishing over 100 papers and holding numerous patents, Kapany was rarely celebrated in India during his lifetime. He received the Padma Vibhushan in 2021, posthumously, but his name remains absent from public consciousness.
• Story: Born in Punjab, Kapany moved to the UK and later the U.S., where he demonstrated fiber optics in the 1950s. His innovation was initially dismissed as impractical, but it now powers the internet age.

1. Dr. G. N. Ramachandran (1922–2001)

• Contribution: Developed the “Ramachandran Plot,” a fundamental tool in structural biology that maps protein structures, critical for understanding diseases like Alzheimer’s and designing drugs. He also made significant contributions to X-ray crystallography.
• Impact: The Ramachandran Plot is used worldwide in biochemistry and molecular biology, underpinning advancements in drug discovery and protein research.
• Recognition (or lack thereof): Despite being nominated for the Nobel Prize, he never received it. In India, his contributions are rarely highlighted outside academic circles. He received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award but no major national recognition during his lifetime.
• Story: Working in modest labs in Chennai, Ramachandran’s brilliance shone through despite limited resources. His work was so ahead of its time that it took decades for the world to fully appreciate it.

1. Dr. Kamala Sohonie (1911–1998)

• Contribution: First Indian woman to earn a PhD in science, she pioneered research on nutritional enzymes in foods like pulses and millets, leading to the development of Neera, a nutrient-rich drink from palm sap to combat malnutrition.
• Impact: Her work on affordable nutrition solutions helped address malnutrition in rural India, and her enzyme research advanced biochemistry. She also broke gender barriers in Indian science.
• Recognition (or lack thereof): Faced discrimination at Cambridge and in India, yet persevered. She received the Rashtrapati Award but remains largely forgotten in popular narratives.
• Story: Denied admission by Nobel laureate C.V. Raman due to her gender, Kamala fought her way into science, proving her worth through groundbreaking work in a male-dominated field.

1. Dr. Asima Chatterjee (1917–2006)

• Contribution: Pioneered research on medicinal plants, isolating compounds for anti-epileptic and anti-malarial drugs. Her work on vinca alkaloids contributed to cancer treatments.
• Impact: Her research laid the foundation for modern pharmacology and herbal medicine, influencing global drug development.
• Recognition (or lack thereof): She was the first woman to receive a DSc from an Indian university and later received the Padma Bhushan, but her contributions are rarely celebrated outside academic circles.
• Story: Working in Kolkata, Chatterjee combined traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern chemistry, creating a legacy that continues to save lives but is seldom acknowledged.

Why They Matter:
Like Dr. Shambhunath De and Dr. Dilip Mahalanobis, these scientists worked in obscurity, often with limited resources, yet their discoveries reshaped medicine, technology, and nutrition globally. Their stories challenge the notion that India lacks original scientific contributions. They didn’t just change the world—they saved millions, quietly, without fanfare.

Next time someone doubts India’s scientific legacy, whisper:
“We powered the internet. We decoded proteins. We fought cancer, malnutrition, and epilepsy. And we’re still learning their names.”