Amrit Kaal’s vision: Viksit Bharat through science day

PTI, Feb 25, 2024, 2:54 PM IST

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, an Indian physicist, made a significant announcement on February 28, 1928. He unveiled his discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ to the global scientific community. In recognition of his groundbreaking work, Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.

National Science Day is celebrated every year on February 28 in India. It marks the day the ‘Raman Effect’ was discovered. Across the country, this day is observed with events focused on science, all based on a specific theme.

1986: Proposal from the NCSTC

The National Council of Science Museums, which operates under the Union Ministry of Culture, says that in 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) suggested to the Indian government to make February 28 National Science Day.

The reason NCSTC proposed this idea was to honor the groundbreaking discovery of the Raman Effect and to promote a scientific mindset and awareness among people in India.

The then governmentoof India.agreed and officially made February 28 National Science Day.

The first time this day was celebrated was on February 28, 1987.Since then, National Science Day has become a key event for schools, colleges, and the scientific community all over India. It helps encourage interest in science and a scientific way of thinking among everyone.

Objectives of National Science Day

● Highlighting the significance of science and how it’s used in everyday life.

● Motivating young people to participate in science-related activities and think about careers in science and technology.

● Developing a scientific mindset and promoting a spirit of innovation among the general population.

Theme for National Science day 2024.

The theme for National Science Day 2024 is “Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat ” .The term translates to Developed India.

This theme is important in many ways, such as:

● Shows a targeted effort to increase public understanding and value for making science, technology, and innovation more native and tailored to the country needs.

● Praises and supports the achievements of Indian scientists in overcoming national development challenges with technologies created in India.

● Signifies the beginning of a new period where both the general public and the scientific community, from within India and abroad, can work together in partnership to enhance the welfare of India and the global population.

● Highlights how crucial science is for achieving self-reliance in India or Making India Atmanirbhar

● Reiterates the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047″ as part of the Amrit Kaal vision.

” Viksit Bharat @2047 ” aims to transform India into a developed country by its 100th independence anniversary. This vision covers different development areas like economic advancement, social improvement, environmental preservation, and effective governance.

Amrit Kaal means : The term from India’s 75th to its 100th year of independence is known as ‘Amrit Kaal’. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman mentioned this term during the Union Budget 2022-23 presentation in Parliament. Prime Minister Narendra Modi first introduced the term in October 2021. ‘Amrit Kaal’ describes the upcoming 25-year period.

Significance of National Science Day

In a world where science and technology are changing everything quickly, celebrating National Science Day every year is really important for many reasons, as explained below:

● Encouraging Our Scientists : Celebrating National Science Day because of the Raman Effect discovery is like giving a big thank you to all the scientists in our country. It motivates them to keep working hard on their science projects.

● Promotes Awareness about Science : Events held during National Science Day help make more people understand different science ideas and the latest discoveries better.

● Promotes Scientific Temperness : On National Science Day, activities like talks, debates, quizzes, and shows teach people about new science developments and encourage them to think logically and scientifically. This supports a basic responsibility listed in Article 51A of the Indian Constitution.

Article 51A of the Indian Constitution lists the important responsibilities of all citizens, like respecting the country’s values, preserving its history, and encouraging questioning and improvement.

● Sparks Curiousity in Young Minds : Fun activities such as exhibitions, workshops, and science fairs offer kids a hands-on experience with science, helping to spark their interest and love for the subject.

● Highlights Advancement in Indian Science : National Science Day highlights the newest accomplishments and projects in different science areas in India. This makes people proud of their country and encourages the next generation to follow careers in science.

● Encourages International Collaboration : By having a national celebration for science, India shows its dedication to advancing in science and creates opportunities for working together with science groups from around the world.

● Strengthens Scientific Foundation : By encouraging the next generations to help with scientific development and solve worldwide problems using science, it builds a stronger scientific base for our country.

National Science Day is more than just remembering the Raman Effect; it highlights India’s path to becoming a global science leader. It honors scientific achievements, inspires future innovation, and emphasizes India’s goal to use science and technology for a fairer, greener, and richer world for everyone.

What is Raman Effect ?

The Raman Effect, discovered by Sir C.V. Raman, refers to the phenomenon where light, when passing through a substance, scatters and undergoes a change in its energy. This change in energy causes the scattered light to have a different color or wavelength compared to the original incident light. The Raman Effect is important because it provides valuable information about the composition and structure of materials. By studying the shifted wavelengths of scattered light, scientists can gain insights into the chemical and physical properties of substances, which has numerous applications in fields like medicine, materials science, and environmental monitoring.

■ Practical Insights: Raman Effect Applications

1 . When you see the sky turn red during a sunset, it’s because of the Raman effect. The sunlight passing through the Earth’s atmosphere scatters and changes color, creating those vibrant hues.

2 . When you look at a peacock’s feathers and see those brilliant blues and greens, it’s thanks to the Raman effect. The microscopic structures in the feathers scatter light, creating those vibrant colors.

3 . Did you know that certain types of bacteria and algae can appear red or green when viewed under a microscope? That’s because of the Raman effect. The light interacting with these tiny organisms scatters and changes color, revealing their distinct hues.

4 . In medical diagnostics, Raman spectroscopy is used to analyze urine samples. By shining laser light on the sample, the scattered light provides information about the presence of certain compounds, aiding in the diagnosis of diseases and conditions.

5 . In the field of pharmacy, Raman spectroscopy is used to check the quality and authenticity of medications. Instead of using complicated tests, pharmacists shine a special light on a drug sample. The light bounces off the sample and gives off a unique pattern of colors. By comparing this pattern to a known standard, pharmacists can quickly tell if the medication is real or fake. This helps ensure that patients receive safe and effective medications.

Girish Linganna
Aerospace & Defence Analyst

( The author Girish Linganna of this article is a Defence, Aerospace & Political Analyst based in Bengaluru. He is also Director of ADD Engineering Components, India, Pvt. Ltd, a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany. You can reach out to him at: [email protected])

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