National Science Day 2024 : Date, History & Theme

National Science Day celebrates the legacy of C.V. Raman’s groundbreaking discovery, the Raman Effect, on February 28th each year in India. It aims to promote scientific temperament, innovation, and research across the country. In this article, we will understand the history of National Science Day, the timeline of National Science Day, the significance of National Science Day, themes, and the award of National Science Day.

History of National Science Day

National Science Day is celebrated in India on February 28th each year to honor the achievements of C.V. Raman. From a young age, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was talented and completed his education at a fast pace. Despite initially pursuing accounting, Raman’s passion for science led him to a teaching position in Calcutta.

During a trip to Europe, Raman observed the striking blue color of icebergs and the Mediterranean Sea, which ignited his curiosity. He conducted experiments that showed how light behaves when passing through transparent materials.

In 1928, Raman and his student K.S. Krishnan published their groundbreaking findings, that changed the understanding of light scattering. Although initially overlooked, Raman’s confidence in his discovery never wavered. In 1930, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, which brought global recognition to his work and inspired the Indian scientific community.

National Science Day is a reminder of Raman’s contributions to science and encourages scientific exploration and innovation across India.

When was the day declared as National Science Day?

The Government of India declared February 28th, 1987, as National Science Day to honor the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928.

What is the Raman Effect?

The Raman Effect was discovered by Sir C.V. Raman in 1928. It refers to the phenomenon where, when light scattered by molecules undergoes a change in frequency and results in the scattering of light at different wavelengths. This effect is used in spectroscopy to analyze the vibrational and rotational modes of molecules. This helps in various scientific and industrial applications.

Timeline of National Science Day

Year	Event
1923	Austrian physicist Adolf Smekal describes the scattering of light effect, laying the groundwork for future research in this area.
1928	Soviet physicists Grigory Landsberg and Leonid Mandelstam observe the scattering of light effect in crystals, shortly before Indian physicist C.V. Raman publishes his groundbreaking theory on the same subject.
1928	Physicist Peter Pringsheim reproduces Raman’s theory of scattered light, coining the term “Raman Effect” to describe this phenomenon.
1986	The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (N.C.S.T.C.) proposes to the Government of India the declaration of February 28 as National Science Day, to promote science and scientific thought across the country.
February 28, 1987	The first National Science Day is celebrated, marked by special events organized by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication. This includes the announcement of National Science Popularization awards, recognizing and rewarding outstanding contributions to science communication.

Significance of National Science Day

The significance of National Science Day includes:

• National Science Day celebrates physicist C.V. Raman’s big discovery called the “Raman Effect.”
• It shows how important science is for making progress and improving our lives.
• The day wants to make people, especially young ones, interested in science and thinking about how things work.
• It’s a chance to recognize Indian scientists and show how good they are in science and tech.
• National Science Day encourages asking questions, being creative, and exploring new things, which helps us all in the future.

National Science Day 2023

Dr. Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Earth Sciences, and Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy, and Space, announced the theme for “National Science Day 2023” as “Global Science for Global Wellbeing.” This theme reflects India’s growing global influence and its significant role in the international arena as of 2023.

Themes of National Science Day 1999-2023

Year	Theme
1999	Our Changing Earth
2000	Recreating Interest in Basic Science
2001	Information Technology for Science Education
2002	Wealth From Waste
2003	50 years of DNA & 25 years of IVF – The Blueprint of Life
2004	Encouraging Scientific Awareness in the Community
2005	Celebrating Physics
2006	Nurture Nature for Our Future
2007	More Crop Per Drop
2008	Understanding the Planet Earth
2009	Expanding Horizons of Science
2010	Gender Equity, Science & Technology for Sustainable Development
2011	Chemistry in Daily Life
2012	Clean Energy Options and Nuclear Safety
2013	Genetically Modified Crops and Food Security
2014	Fostering Scientific Temper
2015	Science for Nation Building
2016	Scientific Issues for the Development of the Nation
2017	Science and Technology for Specially Abled Persons
2018	Science and Technology for a Sustainable Future
2019	Science for the People, and the People for Science
2020	Women in Science
2021	Future of STI: Impact on Education Skills and Work
2022	Integrated Approach in S&T for Sustainable Future
2023	Global Science for Global Wellbeing

Award Given on National Science Day

The award given on National Science Day in India is called as “National Science Day Awards.” These awards cover a range of categories and recognize outstanding contributions in science and technology communication, scientific writing, women’s excellence in research, and memorial appreciation. Some of these awards include:

• The National S&T Communication Awards
• Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) awards
• SERB Women Excellence Awards
• The Rajendra Prabhu Memorial Appreciation Shield

Conclusion

National Science Day is an important day in India, which is celebrated to honor C.V. Raman’s discoveries and to encourage everyone to be curious about science. It reminds us how science helps us understand the world and solve problems. The awards given on this day celebrate people who have done great things in science. It’s a day to celebrate science and inspire others to explore and learn more about it.

FAQs

When is National Science Day Celebrated in India?

The National Science Day is celebrated on 28th February each year in India

What is The Theme of National Science Day?

The theme of National Science Day is different each year and is decided by the National Council for Science and Technology Communication.

Why is 28 February Celebrated as National Science Day?

28 February is celebrated as National Science Day to commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect by Indian physicist C.V. Raman on this day in 1928. This discovery was a significant milestone in the field of science and led to C.V. Raman being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.

What is the importance of National Science Day

The importance of National Science Day lies in honoring the remarkable contributions of scientists like C.V. Raman and promoting scientific thinking and innovation across India.

How do we Celebrate National Science Day?

National Science Day is celebrated through various events, including science exhibitions, seminars, workshops, and competitions, aimed at raising awareness about science and its significance in our daily lives.