Dr. Parveen Kumar
An inspiration to develop scientific thinking, innovation and creativity; the National Science Day celebrated every year on Feb. 28 commemorates Raman Effect given by great India Physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, also remembered as C.V. Raman. He was an Indian physicist who made big contributions to spectroscopy and optics. He won a Nobel Prize in 1930 for the discovery of the Raman Effect.
Science is indispensible for development of all and progress of nations. Infact it is the essence of a progressive society. The science of today is the technology of tomorrow. As an endaveour towards a systematic and logical study of how the universe works, Science is a dynamic subject based on observation, experiment, and measurement, and the formulation of laws to describe these facts in general terms. Science is one of the greatest blessings to the mankind. It has played a major role in improving the quality of living of the man. Science is omnipresent and omnipotent in every walk of our life. In every inch of our body, science is the protagonist. The different type of science includes Physical Sciences like Physics, Chemistry, Astronomy and Earth science. The Life Sciences deals with the living organisims consisting of Botany and Zoology and Social sciences that deals with studying social processes. Life is unimaginable without all this, as it has become a necessity. Science is valued by society because the application of scientific knowledge helps to satisfy many basic human needs and improve living standards. Technology uses scientific laws into various devices and Innovations are perceived as practices, ideas or things that are perceived as new by members of social system. The innovations in health sector have improved the overall quality of life in the country; the innovations in education sector have improved the literacy level in the country and the innovations in agriculture sector in terms of hybrid and high yielding seeds, farm machinery and other necessary inputs made the country self sufficient in food grains production. Today, the country is a leading producer of many commodities. All these innovations have been a result of the scientific quest in the country. Considering the importance of Science in every aspect of our day to day life, Feb. 28 is celebrated every year as National Science Day.
History of National Science Day (NSD): This National Day is celebrated in India on 28 February each year to mark the discovery of the ‘Raman effect’ by Indian physicist Sir C. V. Raman on 28 February 1928. For his discovery, Sir Chandrasekhar Venkat Raman also known as C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930. On this day, he discovered a phenomenon of scattering of photons which was later known as ‘Raman Effect’ after his name. After two years in 1930 he got Nobel Prize for this remarkable discovery and this was the first Nobel Prize for India in the field of. In his discovery, the effect demonstrated that light can be scattered, carrying valuable information about molecular vibrations. Ever since the discovery, this discovery has become an important tool in medicine, chemistry, physics and material composition and properties. In 1986, The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the government to designate Feb. 28 as National Science Day. The most eminent and outstanding Indian scientist (famously known as CV Raman) established his experimental thesis known as ‘ Raman Effect’ which he declared officially on 28th February in 1928. By this discovery Sir Raman became known for his contribution globally. For this all important discovery, Sir Raman was being bestowed with the world-famous ‘Nobel Prize’ in 1930 in physics. Sir Raman was also later on respectfully awarded with the 1st ‘Bharat Ratna’ award in 1954 and was also greatly honoured with the greatest award of Russia’ Lenin Peace’ in the year 1956. The National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) made a proposal to our central government to observe National Science Day every year on 28th February to commemorate C. V Raman’s great historic discovery Raman Effect. Thereafter our government agreed to their declaration in 1986 and announced to celebrate National Science Day according to NCSTC’s proposal date. Then in 1987 on February 28 the first National Science Day was observed countrywide. He happened to be the first Indian scientist to receive a Nobel Prize in Physics and laid the foundation of modern spectroscopy. The Raman Research Institute was founded in 1948 and he also served as the Director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Theme: Every year the day is celebrated with a particular theme. The celebration of this day usually relate to the theme of the day for the year. This year the National Science Day is celebrated with the theme ‘Empowering Indian Youth for Global Leadership in Science and Innovation for VIKSIT Bharat.’ The theme is the most appropriate for the present times when the country is having the largest no. of youths, condition referred to as ‘Demographic Dividend’ The government of the country is also doing a lot for the empowerment of youth population through various skill development programmes especially designed for the youths of the country. Startups are being promoted all across the country. Many youths have come forwarded with their scientific ideas and with financial support and hand holding from government as well as other agencies have successfully established their ventures and providing employment to many others.
Objectives of this day: The objective of this National Science Day is to inspire scientific curiosity, aware people of our country about science, enhance public understanding of scientific progress and showcase breakthroughs across various fields. It is a day to motivate and inspire children or students to choose science as their career. This national science day is also celebrated to commemorate the contribution of science to the development of our country and to honour scientific excellence as well as pay tributes to all scientists who have honoured the name & fame of our country India globally in the field of science. This day is celebrated by organizing lectures, debate competitions and by conducting many science related programmes to attract and inspire the thirsty students. Students and young researchers can be facilitated to develop new innovative models which can be replicated on a larger scale later on. This day also serves to inspire new generations giving the example of eminent personalities like Homi Jehangir Bhabha, M.S. Swaminathan, Hargobind Khorana, C. V Raman and A. P. J Abdul Kalam who worked all throughout their life to ensure how science can be best exploited to serve humanity.
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