O P Sharma
Bharat Ratna C V Raman, known for his Raman Effect, was the first Indian scientist to get the Nobel Prize in 1928 and was most illustrious scientist who placed India on the scientific map of the world and is a source of inspiration for young scientists. His significant contribution is building up of many research organizations in India and founded the Indian Journal of Physics as also set up Indian Academy of Sciences.
CV Raman, born on November 7, 1888 at Ayyanpettai in the Tamil Nadu, had his schooling at Vizagapainam and soon acquired command over English and developed deep interest in scientific studies, especially Physics.
Brilliant Record
He read voraciously particularly scientific books. At the tender age of merely ten years, he got first class in Matriculation! In fact, he was first-ranker throughout. Inspired by Annie Besant, he studied scriptures and literature as well in 1904 and graduated from the Presidency College, Madras with first class first and bagged Gold Medal in the University.
For the next two years, when he was pursuing his further studies, he was given special facility for drawing from library many books and for as much time as he wanted. His one article on Acoustics was published in the “Philosophical Magazine” of London in 1906 when he was barely 18 years of age and his second write-up appeared in “The Nature”, London. He passed post-graduation (Physics) in January, 1907 securing first class first.
Other Pastures
After topping the list in the All India Finance Department examination, he became Deputy-Accountant General. Although he was dealing with accounts and finance yet his interest in scientific field continued.
In 1917, the Vice-Chancellor of Calcutta University, Ashutosh Mukerjee took Raman as Professor of Physics when he had already rendered 10 years service with Government of India. It is believed Raman entered now the right profession. Two years later he became Secretary, Indian Association for Cultivation of Science which was really a turning point for him.
Great Discovery
He became famous in 1922, when he was conferred the degree of D.Sc by Calcutta University. Two years later he founded Indian Science Congress and was its Secretary for four years. The Royal Society of London in 1922 awarded him fellowship which opened more opportunities for him as he was invited to many institutions.
In 1924, he went to UK, Canada and USA also paying a flying visit to Oslo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Berlin and Paris, France. During 1925 he attended Russian Science Academy and later launched India Journal of Physics which published research papers. He was only non-German to contribute an article in Handbook of Physics, the German Encyclopedia of Contemporary Physics.
Highest Honour
In 1928, he made a great discovery which made him world famous and won him the Nobel Prize for Physics. In the Nobel Prize lecture he observed that during his first voyage to Europe in 1921, he was fascinated by the blue colour of Mediterrean Sea and became interested in its origin. The colour, he thought, was due to process of diffusion of sun light on its passage through clear water. He intensively experimented on it and the result was the “Raman Effect”.This was hailed by the scientist community as the greatest discovery in the history of X-ray and radioactivity. Raman continued with zeal his study and research work.
Inspiring Figure
In 1932, Raman left Palit chair of Calcutta University and went to Banglore as Head of the Department of Physics of Indian Institute of Science. During 1948 Raman was named the Director of Raman Research Institute at Bangalore and was soon awarded National Research Professorship which gave him Rs 2500 p.m. for research work.
From 1948 till his death on November 21, 1970 he remained Director of Raman Research Institute and carried out commendable researches in various fields as also inspired and trained distinguished scientists like Homi Jahangir Bhaba, Vikram Sarabhai and KS Krishnan.
This Nobel Laureate started as a humble investigator and worked in the small laboratories, having limited resources which our country could then afford. He once wrote: “The essence of science is independent thinking, hard work and not equipment”. His greatest quality was his single minded devotion to science and not only attained international eminence but also raised prestige of his motherland, India.
He was awarded highest honour of Bharat Ratna during 1954. Raman was always eager to secure for India, a prominent place on the global scientific map. He asked the Government to provide more grants for scientific institutions with better facilities. Now our country is making rapid strides on the scientific and technological fields – our rank is at the prestigious level. On the National Science Day (February 28, 2021), this year, the theme was “Future of Science Technology and Innovation (STI): Impacts on Education, Skills and Work”.
He always underscored need for scientific temper and linking up of our developmental efforts with science and technology for speedier all rounder advancement of our country and the humanity.
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