Every year on the 28th of February, India celebrates National Science Day. While this day is observed to inspire and encourage youth to develop an interest in science, do you know the origin of this day? National Science Day commemorates the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by the Nobel laureate and scientist CV Raman.

The celebrations for this day take various forms. On one hand, the Government of India felicitates scientists who have contributed to the field of science, thus marking the anniversary of the 'Raman Effect. And on the other hand students from across the country demonstrate science projects.

In this article, we will take you through the brief history and significance of National Science day while highlighting the theme for this year, and how we can celebrate with our kids!

History of National Science Day

National Science Day is celebrated today to raise awareness of the importance of science in our daily lives while acknowledging the contributions made by our scientists in the field. But the origin of this day dates back to 28th February 1928, when Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman discovered a path-breaking phenomenon of the scattering photons which was later coined as “Raman Effect”, after his name. He won the noble prize, in 1930, for this remarkable discovery, being the first Nobel Prize for India in the field of Science.

Hence to celebrate this phenomenal discovery, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) urged the Government of India to designate 28 February as National Science Day. And on February 28, 1987, the first National Science Day was celebrated.

Significance of Science Day

The main objective of celebrating National Science Day is to encourage the Indian youth to develop an interest in and understand the importance of Science. On this day, students from across the country take part in state-level, and national-level competitions to demonstrate their science projects.

The objectives for which National Science Day is celebrated every year can be encapsulated in the following points -

• To spread awareness of the significance of scientific applications in the daily life of the people.
• To showcase the efforts and achievements in the field of science for the welfare of human beings.
• To discuss issues pertaining to science and implement new technologies for the development of science.
• To give an opportunity to science enthusiasts in the country.
• To popularize Science and Technology among people.

What is Raman Effect?

Raman Effect, named after the scientist CV Raman, who made its discovery, is a spectroscopy phenomenon. It describes how the wavelength of light scatters when deflected on a particular object. CV Rama first observed this formula during his trip to Europe in 1921. After this, he wanted to understand the phenomenon that led to the blue colour of the Mediterranean Sea and icebergs.

CV Raman started experimenting with transparent ice blocks, and the light of a mercury arc lamp. He recorded his observations of the changes in wavelength after shining the light through ice cubes.

Thereafter, the Russian physicists Grigory Landsberg and Leonid Mandelstam first observed the effect just a week before Raman. However, their results and observations were published months after Raman’s. Thus, CV Raman was the first one to experiment, and thereafter, publish the results of his path-breaking discovery.

Activities and Theme of CV Raman National Science Day 2023

National Science Day is celebrated with great enthusiasm every year based on different themes. And for the CV Raman National Science Day 2023, the theme is “Global Science for Global Well-Being”. Let us look at some of the ways in which the Raman effect day is celebrated with kids -

• Students of the schools and colleges demonstrate various science projects.
• The national and state science institutions demonstrate their latest research.
• The celebration also includes organizing public speeches, radio-TV talk shows, exhibitions of science movies, science exhibitions, watching the night sky, live projects, debates, quiz competitions, lectures, and many more activities.

Key Takeaways

With an experience of 95 years, we at Podar Education Network, have been shaping the future of our nation by moulding our students to be responsible global leaders of tomorrow. We encourage our students to embrace their skills, through our holistic learning approach. By celebrating National Science day every year, we encourage our students inclined in this field to showcase their talent through project demonstrations, and various activities, organized to celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of the Raman Effect!