National Science Day 2024

Every year on February 28th, National Science Day is celebrated in India to honour the discovery of the Raman Effect by the Indian scientist CV Raman. This special day also recognises the valuable contributions of scientists in improving human well-being.

CV Raman, born on November 7th, 1888, in Thiruchapalli, Tamil Nadu, was initially part of the Indian Finance department before becoming a scientist. On February 28th, 1928, he made a remarkable discovery. When a beam of light travels through a see-through material, the deflected light changes its wavelength and frequency. He named this discovery the “Raman Effect” or “Raman Scattering.” In 1930, he became the first Indian to receive a Nobel Prize in the field of Science.

In 1933, Raman established the Indian Academy of Sciences and later founded the Raman Research Institute in 1948. Unfortunately, on November 21st, 1970, CV Raman passed away at the age of 82.

The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) proposed in 1986 that February 28th be announced as National Science Day. The theme for National Science Day in 2024 is ‘Indigenous Technologies for Viksit Bharat.’

The day is celebrated with enthusiasm and pride in India. Schools, colleges and other institutions organise cultural events, urging students to actively participate in science-related activities. It’s a day to inspire and appreciate the marvels of science and technology.