National Science Day is celebrated in India every year on February 28 to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by the legendary Indian physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, commonly known as CV Raman. This year, on National Science Day 2023, we remember the contributions of CV Raman to science and the significance of science in our daily lives.
History of National Science Day
National Science Day was first celebrated in India in 1986, exactly 56 years after CV Raman’s discovery of the Raman Effect. The Indian government declared this day as National Science Day to honor CV Raman and to promote science and its benefits in the country. Since then, every year, different scientific institutions, schools, colleges, and universities in India organize various events, seminars, workshops, and exhibitions to celebrate National Science Day.
The Significance of Science
Science plays a crucial role in our lives, from the food we eat, the medicines we take, the technology we use, and the energy we consume. Science helps us to understand and explore the world around us and to solve complex problems. Science has led to groundbreaking discoveries and inventions that have revolutionized every aspect of our lives.
The role of CV Raman
CV Raman was born on November 7, 1888, in the city of Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu, India. He was a brilliant physicist, mathematician, and philosopher who made significant contributions to science in India and worldwide. He was the first Asian and first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his discovery of the Raman Effect.
The Raman Effect is a phenomenon where light scattered by a material shows a change in its wavelength due to the interaction with the material. Raman discovered this effect while he was investigating the scattering of light by different materials. His discovery opened up a new field of science called Raman spectroscopy, which has numerous applications in various fields, including chemistry, biology, and physics.
CV Raman’s work on light scattering and his discovery of the Raman Effect helped to advance our understanding of the nature of light and matter. His contributions to science have inspired generations of scientists in India and around the world.
