You might be aware that 28th February is celebrated
as National Science Day in India but do you know
why and for what the day is celebrated as National Science Day. I am also sure
you must have heard about celebrated Indian Scientist Sir Chandrasekhara
Venkata Raman. On this day in 1928, 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 Science. To mark the discovery of
his famous phenomenon National Science Day is celebrated in India on the day
each year.
When was the day declared as
National Science Day?
In 1986, the National Council for Science and
Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to designate 28
February as National Science Day which the then Govt. of India accepted and
declared the day as National Science Day in 1986. The first National Science
Day was celebrated on February 28, 1987.
What is Raman Effect?
Raman Effect is a phenomenon in spectroscopy
discovered by the eminent physicist while working in the laboratory of the
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata.
Raman Effect, change in the wavelength of
light that occurs when a light beam is deflected by molecules. When a beam of
light traverses a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound, a small
fraction of the light emerges in directions other than that of the incident
(incoming) beam. Most of this scattered light is of unchanged wavelength. A
small part, however, has wavelengths different from that of the incident light;
its presence is a result of the Raman Effect.
Purpose of the Celebration:
The basic objective of observation of National
Science Day is to spread the message of importance of science and its
application among the people. National science day is celebrated as one of the
main science festivals in India every year with following purpose-
· To
widely spread a message about the significance of scientific applications in
the daily life of the people,
· To
display all the activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science
for welfare of human being,
· To
discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for the development of
the science,
· To
give an opportunity to the scientific minded citizens in the country,
· To
encourage the people as well as popularise the Science and Technology.
Activities on the Day:
Students of the schools and colleges
demonstrate various science projects as well as national and state science
institutions demonstrate their latest researches. The celebration also includes
public speech, radio-TV talk shows, exhibitions of science movie, science
exhibition based on themes and concepts, watching night sky, live projects and
researches demonstration, debates, quiz competitions, lectures, science models
exhibitions and many more activities.
Theme of National Science Day 2018
‘Science and Technology for Sustainable
Future’
