Dr. Bharati Bhatt was IWSA president from 1975-1977

Dr. Bhatt was born in jail while her parents were jailed during India’s freedom struggle. Her name Bharati was given to her by Mahatma Gandhi. She used to always wear Khadi clothes. Dr. Bharati Bhatt was a plant cytologist, Ph.D. in Biology in 1969 and worked in Molecular Biology and Agricultural division of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre during 1957-1992. She developed the thornless Solanum khasianum, a medicinal plant using mutational breeding techniques. Later she shifted to human cytology. She used to organize several social activities.

Dr. Bhatt actively worked at the Gujarati association and used to conduct IWSA programs there. In those days, she delivered several Radio talks on scientific topics in Gujarati and English.