National Science Day

National Science Day is celebrated in India on February 28 every year to mark the discovery of Raman effect by C.V. Raman.^[1] The event is commemorated in honour of Sir C.V. Raman for his legacy and discovery of the Raman effect on February 28, 1927, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930.

Sir C.V. Raman

Main article: C.V. Raman

Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, FRS (Tamil: சந்திரசேகர வெங்கடராமன்)(born on:7 November 1888 – died on: 21 November 1970) was an Indian physicist and Nobel laureate in physics recognised for his work on the molecular scattering of light and for the discovery of the Raman effect, which is named after him. His mother tongue was Tamil.

Importance of the Raman Effect

See also: Raman Effect

"Sir C.V. Raman won a Nobel Prize for his study of optics and the scattering of light, researchers across the world are still extracting exciting new results from his discoveries. His pathbreaking work is increasingly relevant even today. Raman Effect has con

History of National Science Day

In 1986, the NCSTC asked the Government of India to designate February 28 as National Science Day. The event is now celebrated all over the country in schools, colleges, universities and other academic, scientific, technical, medical and research institutions. On the occasion of the first NSD (National Science Day)(28 February 1987) NCSTC announced institution of the National Science Popularization awards for recognizing outstanding efforts in the area of science communication and popularization.

2009

The focal theme for the year 2009 was "Expanding Horizons of Science".

On 28 February 2009, five institutions in the country were presented National Award for Science Communication by the Dept. of Science and Technology, Government of India. These awards are presented to recognize the efforts of individual, government and non-government bodies' efforts for the popularization of science in the country.

The highest award in 2009 was given to the Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre for its contribution to science-related learning material and conducting training programs on science education.^[2]

A Festival of Measurement and Space Fair was held at the Nehru Planetarium, New Delhi.^[3]

Dr. Pramod Kumar Mohapatra, G.S. Unnikrishnan Nair and Ms. Meenu Khare were awarded one lakh rupees for their individual contributions to the field.^[2] Jidnyasa Trust of Thane also received one lakh rupees for setting up a science activity center.

References

1. ^ "National Science Day today". All India Radio. http://www.newsonair.com/news.asp?cat=national&id=NN5654. Retrieved 2009-02-28. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "National Science Day Award to CSC Ahmedabad". Gujrat Global. http://www.gujaratglobal.com/nextSub.php?id=4796&cattype=NEWS. Retrieved 2009-02-28. ^{[dead link]}
3. ^ "Host of events in capital on National Science Day today". Chennai, India: The Hindu. 28 February 2009. http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/008200902280322.htm. Retrieved 2009-02-28.