National Science Day is celebrated in India on February 28 each year to commemorate the discovery of the Raman effect by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928. In the realm of science, certain individuals leave an indelible mark, shaping the course of knowledge and inspiring generations to come. One such luminary is Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, an eminent Indian physicist whose ground-breaking work in the field of light scattering earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
Born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, India, Sir C.V. Raman dedicated his life to unravelling the mysteries of light and matter. His seminal discovery, known as the Raman effect, emerged in 1928 and revolutionized our understanding of the interaction between light and molecules.The Raman effect, observed when monochromatic light passes through a transparent material, revealed that some of the light undergoes a change in wavelength due to its interaction with the molecules in the material. This discovery opened new avenues for studying molecular vibrations and had far-reaching implications in various scientific disciplines.
Beyond his ground-breaking research, Sir C.V. Raman served as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore, contributing significantly to the growth of scientific education and research in India. His tireless efforts and passion for science left an indomitable legacy, and he remains an icon in the annals of scientific history.
As we celebrate National Science Day on February 28, at NIT Srinagar commemorating the anniversary of the Raman Effect’s discovery, let us reflect on the profound impact of Sir C.V. Raman’s contributions. His work not only advanced scientific knowledge but also inspired countless individuals to pursue careers in science and research.
In the spirit of Sir C.V. Raman’s curiosity and dedication, let us continue to foster a culture of scientific inquiry and innovation, ensuring that his legacy continues to shine brightly in the world of science.
This year, the Day is being organized with a theme, “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat” and Indigenous technical knowledge (ITK) is succour for people to solve most of their problems by using their logic and innovative mind.The impact of Indian scientific breakthroughs is significantly enhancing the ‘Ease of Living’ for the common man, not only within the boundaries of this country but also across the globe. You may not be knowing, that we have steadily moved from the lab to land and very recently from lab to moon; with the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 on south pole of moon, and became the first country to achieve this feat and honour.
The day is dedicated to the field of science and aims to highlight the importance of scientific applications in everyday life. The theme of National Science Day varies each year, focusing on different aspects of scientific research and development.The celebration of National Science Day includes various events, seminars, and exhibitions organized by educational institutions, research organizations, and other scientific institutions across the country. These activities aim to promote scientific awareness, foster scientific temper, and encourage a spirit of inquiry and innovation among the people.
(The Author is Professor, Department of Physics, National Institute of Technology Srinagar
Hazratbal- Srinagar. Email: [email protected])
