February 28 is celebrated as National Science Day to mark the anniversary of India’s greatest discovery- ‘Raman effect’ and to recognise the contributions of scientists towards the development of the nation.
On this day in 1928, India’s prominent scientist CV Raman invented the ‘Raman Effect,’ for which he won the Nobel prize in 1930.
Raman Effect is a change of wavelength exhibited by some of the radiation scattered in a medium. The effect is specific to the molecules which cause it, and so can be used in spectroscopic analysis. In other words, we can say when light passes through a transparent material, some of the deflected light changes wavelength and amplitude.
Raman also developed an instrument “Raman Spectroscopy” for observing the vibrational, rotational and other low-frequency modes in a system.
National Science Day 2021 Theme:
This theme Future of STI- Impacts on education, skills & work has been chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation of the scientific issues involved and the impacts science has on education, skill and work.
The theme itself generates energy and encourages the youth for a future with education, skills, and work in science.
Significance of the day:
National Science Day is celebrated to raise awareness on the importance of science in daily life. Colleges and institutions across the country also celebrate National Science Day by organising public speeches, radio, TV, science movies, science exhibitions on themes and concepts, debates, quiz competitions, lectures and science model exhibitions.
National Science Day 2021 Quotes:
I strongly believe that fundamental science cannot be driven by instructional, industrial, governmental or military pressures. This was the reason why I decided, as far as possible, not to accept money from the government. – C. V. Raman
The whole edifice of modern physics is built up on the fundamental hypothesis of the atomic or molecular constitution of matter. – C. V. Raman
Towards the end of February 1928, I took the decision of using brilliant monochromatic illumination obtained by the aid of the commercially available mercury arcs sealed in quartz tubes. – C. V. Raman
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. – C. V. Raman
It is generally believed that it is the students who derive benefit by working under the guidance of a professor. In reality, the professor benefits equally by his association with gifted students working under him. – C. V. Raman
The essence of science is independent thinking, hard work, and not equipment. When I got my Nobel Prize, I had spent hardly 200 rupees on my equipment. – C. V. Raman
