National Science day is observed as the Day of Pledge to defend Scientific Temper & Forward-looking Sustainable Future. 28th February commemorates the National Science day, a humble tribute to India’s prominent Nobel laureate Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman for his pioneering work on scattering of light, known as “Raman Effect”.
Science Stands by truth, a guiding light to find the right answers to all questions in life.
There is tremendous growth in science and technology in the last decade, but still, scientific temper remains elusive even today, not free from dogmatic beliefs and practices.
“Scientific temper is the temper of a free man” which is an integral part of our society and nation’s livelihood and growth. Like Raman said, “Man of science seeks to resolve the links between art, aesthetics, and science. “ But the question is that if can we produce another C V Raman in Indian soil who was devoted to the scientific research only for the greatest benefactors of humanity. He sacrificed high salaried civil servant work and dedicated his life to the research work. His curiosity and love for colors led him to do the deepest investigation of what he wrote in an exploratory article named “The Colour of the Sea” was later published in Nature journal.
Raman at first joined Association for the Cultivation of science to do research work in spare time from work with some old scientific instruments. He was deeply moved by Edwin Arnold’s classic The Light of Asia as he mentioned his realization of “the Value of Human Spirit and the Virtue of Human Endeavour and Achievement”. Later he joined The Science College of Calcutta University for the post of Palit Chair of Physics at a less salary.
He was just not a great scientist, he was also a great teacher who encouraged young generations and scientific researchers and also known for his sincere participation in community science activities. In his words, “ I feel it is unnatural and immoral to try to teach science to children in a foreign language, they will know facts, but they will miss the spirit….otherwise, science will become a highbrow activity. It will not be an activity in which all people can participate.”
In his later years, he established the Raman Research Institute, which is a leading academic institute for modern Astronomy and Astrophysics. But recently there is a drastically decaying shift in pure science and practicing scientific bent of mind among students and the young generation. Propagating the thoughts of some of the pioneers of modern Science in India like Acharya P.C.Ray, Prof.J.C.Bose, Prof.S.N.Bose, Prof.Megahanad Saha, Prof. Birbal Sahni, Prof.Vikram Sarabhai, etc who have dreamt of an India imbibed with a scientific outlook and temper.
Encourage students to participate in science programs, clubs, demonstrations and quiz competitions, frequent visits to science museums and practice the habit of questioning, observing analyzing, and communicating. So remembering the life history and work of an incredible thinker like C V Raman and celebrating National Science day holds significant importance to produce progressive and free thinkers in future generations.
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