You might be aware that February 28 is celebrated as National Science Day in India, but do you know why the day is celebrated as National Science Day? I am also sure you must have heard about the celebrated Indian scientist, Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. On this day in 1928, he discovered a phenomenon of the scattering of photons, which was later known as the ‘Raman Effect’ after his name. After two years in 1930, he got 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 each year.

When was the day declared as National Science Day?

In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to designate February 28 as National Science Day, which the then Government of India accepted and declared the day as National Science Day in 1986. The first National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 1987.

What is Raman Effect?

The Raman Effect is a phenomenon in spectroscopy discovered by the eminent physicist while working in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata.

The Raman Effect, change in the wavelength of light that occurs when a light beam is deflected by molecules. When a beam of light traverses a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound, a small fraction of the light emerges in directions other than those of the incident (incoming) beam. Most of this scattered light is of an unchanged wavelength. A small part, however, has wavelengths different from those of the incident light; its presence is a result of the Raman Effect.

Purpose of the Celebration:

The basic objective of the observation of National Science Day is to spread the message of the importance of science and its application among the people. National Science Day is celebrated as one of the main science festivals in India every year with the following purpose:

• To widely spread a message about the significance of scientific applications in the daily lives of people,
• To display all the activities, efforts, and achievements in the field of science for the welfare of human beings,
• To discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for the development of science,
• To give an opportunity to the scientific-minded citizens in the country,
• To encourage the people as well as popularise science and technology.

Activities on the Day:

Students of the schools and colleges demonstrate various science projects, as well as national and state science institutions demonstrate their latest research. The celebration also includes public speeches, radio-TV talk shows, exhibitions of science movies, science exhibitions based on various themes and concepts, observation of the night sky, live projects and research demonstrations, debates, quiz competitions, lectures, science model exhibitions, and many more activities. All the science centres under the National Council of Science Museums commemorate the day by organising the above-mentioned programmes and activities.

Theme of National Science Day 2018

‘Science and Technology for Sustainable Future’

Theme of National Science Day 2015

‘Science for Nation Building’

Theme of National Science Day 2014

‘Fostering Scientific Temper’ and ‘Energy conservation’

Theme of National Science Day 2013

‘Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security’