Every year on February 28 National Science Day is celebrated to commemorate the discovery of ‘Raman Scattering’ or ‘Raman Effect’ by Bharat Ratna Sir Chandrasekhara Ventaka Raman. The Constitution of India states that, “It shall be the duty of every citizen of India to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform.”
The Government of India was requested by National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) to proclaim February 28 as National Science Day in 1986, and consequently the day was announced as National Science Day.
This year’s theme of National Science Day was “Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future”, which has been selected for the purpose of raising public appreciation of the scientific issues involved.
Sir C V Raman had won the Noble Prize in Physics in 1930. ‘Raman Scattering’ or ‘Raman Effect’ is a phenomenon in spectroscopy for observing the vibrational, rotational and other low frequency modes in a system.
He observed it while working in the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in Kolkata.
‘Raman Effect’ is frequently used in chemical laboratories and serves as the ‘fingerprint’ for the substance from which the light is scattered.
Other researches carried out by Raman were:
- During 1934-42 he published his studies on the diffraction of light by acoustic waves of ultrasonic and hypersonic frequencies, along with the effects produced by X-rays on infrared vibrations in crystals exposed to ordinary light.
- While studying the spectroscopic behaviour of crystals, he also researched the essential problems of crystal dynamics in 1948. He has been interested in the structure, optical behaviour and properties of stones like diamond, opal, labradorite, pearls, agate, and pearly feldspar.
He had also been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society early in his career (1924), and was knighted in 1929.
Few top tweets made by prominent ministers of India to commemorate the day were:
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“Greetings on #NationalScienceDay. I salute all science lovers and wish them the very best as they enhance their scientific zeal. India is extremely proud of our scientists.” – Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India.
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“On #NationalScienceDay, remembering the great son of India,Sir C.V.Raman. Our Nation has tremendous untapped potential for innovation. Our demographic dividend and thriving democracy provide fertile ground for scientific innovation, that is deep rooted in our civilization.”- Pranab Mukherjee, Former President of India.
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“It was appropriate to unveil the Mob App on #NationalScienceDay. India is making tremendous progress in the field of #Science &Technology. In many sectors, India is being counted among top ten in the world.”- Dr Harsha Vardhan, Union Minister for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
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“Role of science in our lives is paramount & cannot be undermined. We owe our easeful & pleasant lives to myriad scientific discoveries. On this #NationalScienceDay, I extend my greetings to science lovers & gratitude to scientific minds who made the world a better place to live.”- Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
