National Science day is annually observed across India on 28th February to commemorate the discovery of ‘Raman Effect’ by Indian Physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman(CV Raman) for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
The celebrations and events of the National Science Day 2021 are organised by the National Council for Science Technology Communication (NCSTC), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology.
Aim:
- To disseminate the importance of science and its application in human life.
- To encourage students to gain hands-on experience in the field of science.
The theme of the National Science Day 2021 is “Future of Science and Technology and Innovation(STI): Impact on Education, Skills and Work”.
The theme aims to raise the appreciation of scientific issues involved and the impacts of science on education skills and work.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Science and Technology released the first ever National S&T Databases on S&T Awards in India and Indian Origin Academicians Abroad at the National Science Day event.
Background:
i.In 1986, On NCSTC’s suggestion, the government of India proclaimed the 28th February of every year as the National Science day.
ii.The First National Science Day was observed on 28th February 1987.
Why February 28?
Sir CV Raman announced the results of the Raman Effect to the press on 28th February 1928.
Events 2021:
i.Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of Science and Technology virtually addressed the National Science Day event from Imphal, Manipur.
ii.He also presented various awards to the science communicators and women scientists.
iii.The database on the Indian Origin Academicians Abroad contains the information base of around 23472 Indian academicians and research scholars working abroad.
National Awards for Science Popularization:
i.DST instituted the National Awards for Science Popularization in 1987 to encourage and recognise the contribution in the field of S&T popularization and communication and instill scientific temper among the masses.
ii.The award consists of a memento, citation and cash award.
Categories & Cash award:
- Outstanding efforts in science & technology communication – Rs.5 Lakh
- Science & technology communication through print media including books and magazines – Rs.2 Lakh
- Science & technology popularization among children – Rs.2 Lakh
- Translation of popular science & technology literature – Rs.2 Lakh
- science & technology communication through innovative and traditional methods – Rs.2 Lakh
- science & technology communication in electronic medium – Rs.2 Lakh
Awardees:
Science and Technology Communication Awardees
i.Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication through Print Media including Books and Magazines:
- Dr. S. Anil Kumar, Kerala
ii.Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Popularization among Children:
- Indian Resource and Development Association, Haryana
- Dr. Mihir Kumar Panda, Odisha
iii.Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication in the Electronic Medium:
- Dr. Krishna Kumari Challa, Telangana
Rajendra Prabhu Memorial Appreciation Shield for Outstanding Work in Science Media and Journalism:
- Dr. S. Anil Kumar, Kerala
Appreciation Shield for National S&T Databases
- S&T Awards in India: Dr Lalit Mohan, Society for Environment & Development (SED), Delhi
- Indian origin Academicians Abroad: Dr. Rajesh Bhatia & Team, Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh
SERB Women Excellence Awards:
- Dr. Shobhna Kapoor(Indian Institute of Technology Bombay)
- Dr. Antara Banerjee(National Institute for Research in Reproductive Health)
- Dr. Sonu Gandhi(National Institute of Animal Biotechnology)
- Dr. Ritu Gupta(Indian Institute of Technology Jodhpur)
AWSAR Awardees:
Outstanding Story– Dr. Sangeeta Dutta, Bengaluru, Karnataka
Ph.D. category:
- First Prize – Ms. Pooja Maurya, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
- Second prize – Ms. Indu Joshi, New Delhi, Delhi
- Third prize – Ms. Shruti Soni, Bangalore, Karnataka
Films on Indian Scientists:
The Films Division under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting collaborated with the Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai, Science Media Centre, IISER Pune, Children’s Film Society of India (CFSI), Federation of Film Societies of India, Vigyan Prasar and others to screen the Films Division’s package of 8 documentaries on the Indian Scientist – Homi Bhabha, Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose, C.V. Raman, Dr. Visvesvaraya, Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, G.D.Naidu – and Indian Institute of Science(IISc), Bangalore
Key Points:
i.In the 2021 Union Budget, the Government of India has allocated Rs.50000 crore over 5 years for the National Research Foundation to support research in the field of Science.
ii.The 30% increase in this 2021 budget of the Ministry of Science and Technology and Earth Sciences put together for the year 2021-22 would provide stimulus to Science and Technology infrastructure resources in India.
iii.The Government has also implemented various schemes to encourage students and youths of India towards the field of S&T.
iv.The “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research” scheme aims to attract, nurture and train the students to study science and take up careers in Research and development.
The government of India approved this scheme in November 2008 at a total cost of Rs 1979.25 crores and it was launched on 13th December 2008.
About Sir CV Raman:
i.Sir CV Raman was born on 7th November 1888 in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu.
ii.He won the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the scattering of light and for the discovery of the effect, Raman Effect. He became the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize in Physics.
iii.The government of India honoured him with the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award in 1954. He was one of the first recipients (Chakravarti Rajagopalachari and Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan) of Bharat Ratan which was introduced in 1954.
