National Science Day

National Science Day is annually celebrated on February 28^th in India. It is time that Sir CV Raman proclaimed the birth of the Raman Effect which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. The Government of India designated 28 February as National Science Day (NSD) 1986.

History of National Science Day

You may know that February 28 is celebrated as National Science Day in India but do you know why and for what reason the day is celebrated as National Science Day. I am also sure that you must have heard of the famous Indian Scientist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. On this day in 1928, he discovered the scattering of photons which later became known as the 'Raman Effect' after his name. After two years, in 1930, he received the Nobel Prize for this remarkable discovery and this was the first Nobel Prize for India in the field of Science. To mark the discovery of his famous phenomenon, National Science Day is celebrated in India on this day every year.

In 1986, February 28 each year was designated as National Science Day by request of the National Science and Technology Communications Council (NCSTC). February 28, 1987 was the first time of National Science Day.

What is Raman Effect?

The Raman Effect is a phenomenon in the spectrum discovered by a prominent physicist working in the laboratory of the Indian Society of Horticultural Sciences, Kolkata.

The Raman Effect, is a change of the wavelength of light that occurs when a beam of light is deflected by molecules. When a beam of light passes through a sample of a transparent and dustless chemical compound, a small portion of the light emerges in directions other than those of the incident beam. Most of them has a constant wavelength. However, a small fraction of a wavelength is different from that of the incident light. As a result, it is the Raman Effect.

Purpose of the Celebration

The basic goal of celebrating National Science Day is to spread the message about the importance of science and its application among the people. National Science Day is celebrated in India every year with the below purposes:

• To spread the message about the importance of scientific applications in people's daily lives,
• To display all activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science for the benefit of man,
• To discuss all things about new technologies for the development of science,
• To create opportunities for scientific citizens in the country,
• To encourage people as well as disseminate Science and Technology.

How to celebrate National Science Day

Students of schools and colleges show off various science projects, and national and state science organizations showcase their latest research. Celebrations also include public speeches, radio-TV talk shows, science film exhibitions, science exhibitions based on themes and concepts, night sky viewing, live projects research and demonstrations, debates, quizzes, lectures, scientific modeling exhibitions and many other activities.