The National Science Day is celebrated every year on February 28. It is a day that commemorates the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. This Indian scientist, popularly known as C V Raman, was awarded the Nobel Prize for this discovery.
Sir C V Raman first started experimenting with the scattering of light. He studied that light interacts with matter in various ways. While some materials absorb light, other materials end up reflecting or scattering it. He eventually established the Raman spectroscopy, which is basically the study of light in this context. The colours that we see are a result of this scattering of light. What was fascinating about Sir C V Raman’s study, was his observations that a tiny fraction of scattered light can have an entirely different colour! Why is that so? Because, when light scatters, its energy changes as it interacts with the various molecular vibrations. This phenomenon is so weak that it cannot be seen with the naked eye. It was in the year 1930 that Sir C V Raman was bestowed with the Nobel Prize. In 1954, he was also awarded the Bharat Ratna. But it was not until the year 1987, that the dedication of a particular day to celebrate his discovery was announced. It was the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) who requested the Government of India to mark 28 February as the National Science Day. It was a move aimed toward promoting science and its everyday application. The first ever National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 1987. This year, the theme for the National Science Day is ‘Science for the People and People for the Science’.
Is Science an exciting subject for your child? Is it something that you bond over? Well, here are some exciting events happening in the city on account of Science Day. We hope you visit and come back home with memories that strengthen not just your bond but also scientific concepts in your child’s mind!
1)Event: Scipop
Website: http://scipop.iucaa.in/ScienceDay/
Details: IUCAA takes its research to the masses through an Open Day on February 28 every year. Anyone can visit the campus to attend and/or participate in popular science exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, screening of scientific films, Q&A sessions etc.
Date: 28th February
2)Event: NCRA. TIFR
Website: http://gmrt.ncra.tifr.res.in/~sciday/sciday/scienceday.htm
Details: Each year, Science Day is celebrated at the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) observatory at Khodad, Junnar. The programme consists of a grand Science Exhibition, where children from schools and colleges exhibit their science projects, and prizes are given for the best entries in different age groups.
Date: 28th February and 1st March
3)Event: Inertia 2019
Website: https://siginertia.wixsite.com/2k19
Details: The Symbiosis Institute, in collaboration with the Indian Society of Geomatics, is conducting Inertia 2k19. Their Science exhibition is open for the public, including students and staff from all institutions in and around Pune.
Date: 28th February 2019
4)Event: Science Day/Open Day
Website: http://sciencepark.unipune.ac.in/Events.php
Details: Science organizations and institutes in the city will host a series of events as a part of the National Science Day celebrations. The Savitribai Phule Pune University will host a heritage walk on Thursday. The Science and Technology Park will remain open for visitors from 11 am to 5 pm.
Date: 28th February 2019
