Madurai: Dhonga city Madurai is identified only for cinema, spiritual and cultural festivals. The achievements of ordinary people living in Madurai do not come to light. Born in a simple family in Madurai, Subatra is on his way to the success of a new invention through his studies.
Subatra is the daughter of Rajendran, a lorry driver from Arapalayam, Madurai. Through his studies, Subatra worked as a Scientist in the Engineering Division of Oil and Gas Process Design at ISRO during 2005-2006. Since then he has worked in research institutes in Dubai, Netherlands, Italy and various countries in Asia, Africa. He left the job with the goal of achieving new inventions.
Nowadays, people are gradually shifting from petrol and diesel vehicles to electric vehicles. He is involved in research on the use of sodium batteries as an alternative to lithium batteries used in electric vehicles.
If his research is successful, it could lead to affordable electric vehicles. Currently, he is running his own company called Atral ESP in Chennai. Through this, he has tried to provide employment to many people.
First graduate of the family: Subatra said about this: My father and mother did not study much. I am the first graduate in my family. I studied polymer technology as a diploma course without knowing what to study. They immediately made arrangements for my marriage at home.
I wanted to read more. I studied B. Tech Chemical Engineering by making my mother and father understand my desire. A job at ISRO fueled my desire to do research. But I don’t want to confine my research to a single thought in a particular loop.
I left ISRO because I want to contribute to the development of the country in some way by exhibiting my unique skills and research. But, after that I worked in different countries and faced different environments and difficulties.
Batteries used in electric vehicles are not manufactured in our country. We import from China. Lithium is like petrol and diesel. If everyone switches to lithium, that too will be in short supply. However, sodium is not like that. Therefore, I am researching sodium battery products instead of lithium batteries.
30 percent price reduction if sodium battery comes to market. Currently we have applied to purchase baton for our product. Next I have sent for the procedure to get the certificate. If this gets permission and goes on sale, it will be the first time in the world that sodium batteries have been sold in Tamil Nadu.
Women do not get the same opportunities and recognition as men in research fields. Therefore, women do not enter the field of science with much enthusiasm. My next goal is to encourage women to join these courses and fields.
I established a foundation named ‘Varun Aditya’ to promote Tamil language and culture, provide education and employment to women from economically backward families. Also, I am doing my best by becoming a member of social charities in Ulaagawi. This is what he said.
Madurai Subatra is commendable for starting his own company in the midst of corporates and trying to achieve through it.