Bengaluru: She has certainly razed the glass ceiling as Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)’s first woman Director General (electronics & communication systems cluster), but a day ahead of taking over the top post J Manjula says she never encountered any barriers as she climbed the rungs to this post.
A renowned expert in electronic warfare systems and cutting edge communications, she will serve as one of the seven Director Generals heading various clusters, with seven laboratories under her control. “It feels great to be appointed to this highly responsible position. In DRDO, I have never experienced the glass ceiling. The organization has been very good to me,” she told Deccan Chronicle. Manjula has served as Director of Defence Avionics Research Establishment, Bengaluru, since July 2014.
She said though she considers the top post, a good opportunity, her responsibilities would increase manifold in view of the network of laboratories in this cluster. An alumni of Osmania University, Manjula worked with Electronics Corporation of India Ltd (ECIL) before joining DRDO in 1987.
She served in Defence Electronics Research Laboratory, Hyderabad, for more than 26 years in the area of integrated electronic warfare, and has designed and realised fast signal acquisition receivers, high power RF systems, responsive jammers, and controller software for various systems inducted by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, Indian Air Force and paramilitary forces.
She is the recipient of Defence Research and Development Organisation award for ‘Performance Excellence’ and ‘Scientist of the Year 2011’.
