In 1928, an Indian scientist Sir Chandrashekhar Venkat Raman, also known as C.V. Raman, gave the theory of scattering of light which is known as Raman effect on February 28, 1928, and for his remarkable discovery, India received the first Nobel Prize in science in 1930. National Science Day is celebrated every year to honor this discovery.

What is the Raman Effect?

 Raman effect changes in the wavelength of light that occurs when a beam of light is deflected by molecules. When a beam of light travels from a dust-free transparent sample of a chemical compound, a small fraction of the light emerges in the direction other than that of the incident light. This phenomenon is also knowns as Raman Spectroscopy.

How this day come about?

The first National Science Day was celebrated on 28 February 1987. In 1968, the (NCSTC) National Council for Science and Technology Communication asked the Government of India to nominate 28 February as National Science Day and from 1968 the Government declared it as National on 28 February.

National Science Day 2020 Theme

The theme of National Science Day 2020 is “Women in Science”. This year’s topic is dedicated to women’s contribution to the field of science. Within the last year, we have seen women actively participating in the space program as we can take examples from Mission Mars and Chandrayaan 2.

How it is celebrated?

National Science Day is celebrated by organizing science model exhibitions, live projects, debates, quiz competitions, lectures, and seminars, etc. The purpose of the Department of Science and Technology is to spread awareness about how science and technology develop the nation.

Institutions where it is celebrated at a large level:

• The Indian Department of Science and Technology
• The Giant Metre wave Radio Telescope (GMRT)
• The Councils of Science and Technology in every state
• The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium.