On November 7 1888, Bharat witnessed the birth of one of its most brilliant scientific minds Dr Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, the man who made light reveal its mysteries and elevated Indian science to global recognition. As the nation celebrates his birthday today, it also recalls the day’s other historical milestones, the massive cow protection movement and the birth anniversary of nationalist leader Shri Bipin Chandra Pal in 1966, symbolising a confluence of science, spirituality, and swadeshi awakening.
Born in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu, on November 7, 1888, CV Raman was the son of Shri Chandrashekhar Iyer, a physics teacher and astrologer, and Parvati Ammal, a devout and music-loving mother. His home was a microcosm of Indian intellectual tradition a fusion of science, Sanskrit, and spirituality, where the pursuit of knowledge was as natural as breathing. This unique environment shaped the young Raman’s restless curiosity and passion for understanding the natural world.
At the age of 14, Raman joined the BA Physics course at Presidency College, Madras. His British professor, Elliot, initially thought the young boy had entered the class by mistake until Raman topped the examination and won the gold medal in Physics. His extraordinary brilliance was evident early on; while most students were preoccupied with sports or leisure, one of his research papers found its way into the prestigious international journal Nature a rare feat for an undergraduate Indian student under colonial rule.
After completing his Master’s degree, Raman took up a job as an assistant accountant in the Finance Department of the British Government in Calcutta, a conventional career choice for a man of his credentials. But his heart lay elsewhere in laboratories, in experiments, and in the pursuit of understanding how nature worked. The world of numbers could not confine his imagination.
In the evenings, after office hours, he would head to the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) to conduct research in acoustics and optics. Eventually, his passion overpowered his profession he resigned from his government job and joined the University of Calcutta’s Science College as a professor. It was here that he began a journey that would change the course of modern physics and forever inscribe his name in the annals of global science.
Raman’s scientific journey was driven by an insatiable curiosity and an intuitive approach to observation. Every time he encountered a phenomenon he couldn’t fully explain, he would jot down “why?” or “how?” in the book margins questions that became sparks for future research.
One such moment of wonder came during a voyage back from England. Sitting on the deck of a ship, Raman observed the deep blue of the sea and questioned the prevailing belief that it was merely the reflection of the sky. Dissatisfied with simplistic explanations, he began an independent study into light scattering, determined to understand why the ocean appeared blue.
After seven years of relentless experimentation, his perseverance bore fruit. On February 28, 1928, Raman announced his revolutionary discovery, what the world would come to know as the “Raman Effect.” His research showed how light, when passing through a transparent material, changes its wavelength and scatters providing profound insights into the molecular composition of matter.
This path-breaking discovery transformed modern physics, deepening scientific understanding of atomic and molecular structure. The “Raman Effect” became a cornerstone of spectroscopy and quantum mechanics used today in everything from chemistry labs to astrophysics.
In 1930, Dr CV Raman became the first Asian to receive the Nobel Prize in Physics, a moment that electrified India and inspired a generation of young scientists under colonial subjugation. At a time when the British still doubted Indian intellect, Raman’s achievement was a symbolic assertion of India’s scientific capability and civilisational genius.
It is remarkable that the equipment he used for this groundbreaking discovery a simple spectroscope costing just Rs 300, stood in stark contrast to the massive, expensive laboratories of the West. His discovery proved that it was not wealth but willpower and vision that drive true scientific breakthroughs.
Even after global recognition, Raman declined lucrative offers from abroad, choosing instead to serve Bharat. He became the Director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, where he mentored a generation of scientists, and later founded the Raman Research Institute, which continues his legacy of curiosity-driven research.
In 1954, the Government of India honoured Dr Raman with the Bharat Ratna, the nation’s highest civilian award, recognising his monumental contribution to science and education. True to his spirit, he continued his research till his final days, maintaining an active laboratory even after retirement.
Dr. Raman passed away on November 21, 1970, but his legacy endures not just in laboratories and textbooks, but in the Indian ethos of inquiry, innovation, and independence of thought. To honour his discovery, the Government of India declared February 28 as National Science Day, celebrated annually across schools and institutions to promote scientific temper among youth.
CV Raman’s life was a living embodiment of Swami Vivekananda’s ideal of combining science with spirituality, intellect with discipline, and nationalism with global excellence. His story remains a powerful reminder that Indian genius, when nurtured in freedom and rooted in cultural self-confidence, can illuminate the world.
“Ask the right question, and nature will reveal her answer,” Dr. Raman once said. More than a century later, his light still shines through every Indian scientist who dares to ask why and how.
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