C.V. Raman: A Legacy of Scientific Discovery
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, popularly known as C V Raman, was a renowned Indian physicist and Nobel laureate who made groundbreaking contributions to the field of light scattering. Born on November 7, 1888, in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, Raman's dedication to academics began at an early age and led him to excel in various scientific pursuits throughout his life.
Raman joined the Indian Finance Service in Calcutta in 1907 but continued to pursue physics experiments in his spare time. His curiosity about everyday phenomena guided his work, and he conducted a series of experiments on light scattering during a sea voyage in 1921. This research laid the foundation for his most significant discovery, the Raman Effect.
On February 28, 1928, Raman, along with colleague KS Krishnan, observed that when light passed through transparent materials, a small portion of the scattered light experienced a change in wavelength. The Raman Effect provided direct evidence of the quantum nature of light and its interaction with matter, transforming our understanding of molecular and material sciences.
For his pioneering work, C V Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, becoming the first Asian and non-white scientist to receive this honour. His legacy inspired future generations of researchers, establishing India as a significant contributor to global scientific advancement.
Raman continued to research and mentor scientists until his death on November 21, 1970. He transformed the Indian Institute of Science into a leading research centre and founded the Raman Research Institute in 1948. C V Raman received numerous awards for his contributions, including India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1954.
In 2019, February 28 was celebrated as National Science Day in India, commemorating Raman's birthday and legacy as a renowned scientist who advanced our understanding of light scattering. Today, C V Raman remains a symbol of India's potential in science and technology, and his work continues to influence scientific research around the world.
Tributes Pour In: Celebrating an Indian Science Icon
The government and scientific community came together to pay tribute to C V Raman's legacy, celebrating his contributions to light scattering, which has far-reaching impacts on various fields of science. Dr Saif Hadi, Director General of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), India, said C V Raman's work was instrumental in advancing our understanding of molecular interactions.
"His discovery of the Raman Effect marked a significant milestone in the field of quantum physics and has numerous practical applications," Dr Hadi added. "We will continue to celebrate his contributions to scientific research and acknowledge his impact on Indian science."
The government also announced plans to establish a digital archive of Raman's papers, manuscripts, and related records at the National Digital Library.