National Science Day is celebrated on 28 February each year to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sr. CV Raman. He was given the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his research on The Raman Effect. This day highlights the importance of science and its significance in our day-to-day life. The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) popularises science in India. And so, in 1928, it was the NCSTC who proposed the idea of rewarding 28 February as the National Science Day Celebration.
More About Sir. CV Raman and The Raman Effect
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was born an extraordinarily intelligent child. He matured at an unusually early age. He completed his bachelor’s degree with honors in physics just at the age of 16. And published his first paper based on the diffraction of light while he was still graduating. He has won many medals and has achieved a lot of recognition. Some of his prestigious awards include:
| Awards | Which Year | Why |
| Curzon Research Award in 1912 | 1912 | He received this award while working in the Indian Finance service. This award was given during Lord Curzon’s rule |
| Knight Bachelor Award in 1930 | 1930 | His involvement in the 1929 Birthdays Honors was delayed. So, as an approval Lord Erwin conferred him with this award in the Rashtrapati Bhawan. |
| Nobel Prize in Physics | 1930 | For his research on the scattering of light and the discovery of the Raman effect. |
| The Bharat Ratna Award | 1954 | He received the highest Civilian Award. |
| Lenin Peace Prize | 1957 | This award was given to the prominent supporters or Communists of the Soviet Union. |
His most popular discovery was the Raman effect. The Raman Effect is the scattering of light particles by molecules of a medium. Let us understand this with an example. Why does the ocean appear blue despite the water being colourless? It’s due to the Raman effect. The sunlight consists of 7 colours – Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange, and Red (VIBGYOR). The ocean water is able to absorb green, yellow, orange, and red colours. But it scatters violet, indigo and blue. So the colourless water in the ocean appears to be blue. This phenomenon is the Raman effect.
Why We Celebrate National Science Day
The day is celebrated all over India in various schools, colleges & universities to mark the importance of science in everyone’s lives.
The Objectives of this day include:
- It reminds us of the efforts and achievements we have made so far, in the field of science.
- It is used to weigh up the implementation of different technologies.
- It is celebrated through public speeches, science movies/ exhibitions, debates, quizzes, workshops, etc.
- It motivates students to dig deeper into science & learn its utilisation for public welfare.
- It allows everyone to state & conclude the issues caused by various technologies all over the country.
What we learn from National Science Day
The students prepare project works and represent their ideas on science and technology. Every year this day is celebrated with a theme. Various schools, colleges, & universities organise different activities based on the theme.
This year the theme to celebrate the much coveted National Science Day 2024 would be “Science for a Sustainable Future”. This was aligned with India’s G-20 presidency and emphasised the critical role science plays in tackling global challenges like climate change, resource depletion, and environmental degradation. It could also highlight specific areas like renewable energy, sustainable resource management, and biodiversity conservation. The focus this year would be to highlight the challenges faced by Science. This year a lot of emphasis will be given to expanding the outreach to students, enriching aptitude and profession in the field of Science.
Some of the values we learn from National Science Day:
- Importance of science in our day-to-day life
- Encourages students to represent their ideas about science and technology
- Learn about advancements we have achieved in science (like the new projects, awards & research)
- Reminds us of some of the greatest scientists of India
- Helps everyone learn with the themes, workshops, and exhibitions held on this day
- Develops inquiry-based learning in students
- Prepares students for the upcoming digitalized world
- The students learn new ways of applying the technological approach towards their work
- Encourages teachers to use the emerging technologies with the traditional teaching system to enhance their teaching methods
- Reminds us that science has given us so many assets, and we should feel grateful for the same
We know that science has a deep impact around the world & its accomplishments are deeply rooted in education. It has made so many smart devices available for learning that knowledge is no longer restricted by age, grade, or even power in today’s world. So we hope that this science day also provides children with vast knowledge. And introduces them to different ideas and hopes for the future of the country.
Happy National Science Day, everyone.
FAqs on National Science Day 2024
Q1. What is the special on February 28?
February 28 is celebrated as National Science Day in India to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist Sir C.V. Raman on this day in 1928.
Q2. Who declared National Science Day?
National Science Day was declared by the Government of India upon request from the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) in 1986.
Q3. When was the first National Science Day celebrated?
The first National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 1987.
Q4. Why was 28 February declared as National Science Day?
February 28 was declared National Science Day to mark the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C.V. Raman, for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
Q5. What is the main objective of National Science Day?
The main objective of National Science Day is to spread the message of the importance of science and its application among the people, to encourage scientific mindedness, and to foster a scientific temperament in society.
