Anna Modavil Mani obtained her AIISc (1941) from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore specializing in meteorology and atmospheric sciences. She served as the Deputy Director General, India Meteorological Department; Visiting Professor, Raman Research, Bangalore and Scientist at Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune.

Academic and Research Achievements: Mani had contributed to the study of radiation, ozone and atmospheric electricity, both on the surface and in the upper air using special sounding techniques. She had organized the production of most of the instruments required for this purpose. The Central Radiation Laboratory at Pune and the National Ozone Centre at New Delhi have been so well organized largely due to her efforts, that they have been recognized as the regional centers of the World Meteorological Organization for the calibration and comparison of radiation and ozone instruments from different countries. She has developed techniques for manufacturing and calibrating of ozone sounds. Also made a large number of soundings over different parts of India, and obtained data of fundamental importance on the distribution of ozone up to a height of about 30 Km.

Other Contributions: On behalf of Department of Science & Technology and Ministry of Non-conventinal sources of Energy, Anna Mani took extensive measurements all over India for assessment of potential resources in Solar radiation and wind energy in the country. This led to the publication of two exhaustive volumes on solar radiatin over India: Handbook of Solar Radiation Data for India (1980) and Solar Radiation over India (1981). For the second project, a four-volume publication entitled Wind Energy Resources Survey in India was brought out. These volumes have now become the Bible for scientists and engineers involved with the conversion of wind energy to electrical energy and utilizing the information provided in these volumes a number of wind-farms have been successfully set up in various parts of the country. The number of wind farms in various parts of the country with their giant propellers gracefully turning in the wind in a synchronized way, generating well over 1000 megawatts of electricity is perhaps the greatest tribute to Anna Mani and her immense faith in the great potential of our country. She was the Member, INSA Council (1982-84).

Awards and Honours: Mani was a Fellow/ Member, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Indian Meteorological Society, American Meteorological Society, American Geophysical Union, Royal Meteorological Society, Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers, Solar Energy Society of India, and International Solar Energy Society. She received the KR Ramanathan Medal (1987) of INSA.