National Science Day 2024: Remembering Sir CV Raman
Born on 7 November 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Raman was instilled with a love for academics from a very young age by his father, who was a lecturer in mathematics and physics. He cleared matriculation when he was just 11 years old.
Despite his scientific interests, Raman initially joined the Indian Finance Department in 1907 because there were few opportunities for scientists in India. After leaving the service, he was named the first Palit Professor of Physics at the University of Calcutta in 1917.
In 1928, Raman discovered the 'Raman Effect' at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata. It won him the 1930 Nobel Prize in Physics — the first for India in the field of science.
Raman worked with KS Krishnan on the 'Raman Effect' experiment. Krishnan, however, did not share the Nobel Prize due to professional differences. However, Raman acknowledged Krishnan's contributions in his acceptance speech.
Raman was so excited about the Nobel Prize that he booked tickets to Sweden in July to receive the award in November.
Raman claimed that the "wonderful blue opalescence of the Mediterranean Sea" during his 1921 trip to Europe served as his inspiration for the optical theory that won him the Nobel Prize.
Raman was selected as the first Indian director of the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru in 1933, a position previously held only by Englishmen.
Raman, beyond his expertise in light, pioneered the study of the harmonic nature of Indian drums like tabla and mridangam.
On his first death anniversary, the Indian Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp featuring Sir CV Raman with spectroscopy readings and a diamond backdrop. He was also awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1954.
From Chaudhary Charan Singh to Atal Bihari Vajpayee: