In February 1928, in a small, dimly lit laboratory at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata, a breakthrough was about to change the world’s understanding of light. A scientist, dressed in his signature white suit and turban, peered into a spectrograph, his hands steady despite the thrill of discovery rushing through him. He had been chasing a phenomenon no one believed existed, an unusual scattering of light that defied established physics.
At 4:00 PM, the moment arrived. As light passed through a transparent medium, something remarkable happened. Instead of simply bouncing off or being absorbed, a tiny fraction of the light changed its wavelength. It was as if the light itself whispered a secret message about the nature of the material it passed through.
That scientist was Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, and his discovery, now known as the Raman Effect, not only won him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 but also established India as a force in modern scientific research. It was the first time an Indian scientist, working entirely in India, had achieved global recognition for original research.
This is the story of a man who made light speak, of the discovery that revolutionised science and industry. This is a story of why India honours his legacy every year on National Science Day.
The Making of a Scientific Visionary
On a sweltering summer afternoon in a small home in Tamil Nadu, a young boy sat by the window. He was watching sunlight pass through a glass of water. Most children would have simply admired the shimmering patterns it cast on the table. But this boy was different. He wasn’t just looking, he was questioning.
Why did light behave this way? Why did water bend it but not absorb it completely? Where did the colours go?
That boy was C.V. Raman, and that restless curiosity would define his entire life. While other children played outside, he devoured books on physics and mathematics.
At the age of 13, he entered Presidency College in Madras as a prodigy. Professors marvelled at his ability to grasp complex concepts almost instantly. By the time he completed his Master’s degree in Physics, it was clear, this was no ordinary scholar.
But there was a problem. This was colonial India, and the British administration had little interest in supporting Indian scientists. The best research facilities, funding, and opportunities were reserved for Europeans. For an Indian with big scientific dreams, the path ahead seemed bleak.
So, like many bright young minds of his time, Raman took a practical route. He secured a prestigious government job in the Indian Finance Department. It was stable, respectable, and well-paying. For most people, it would have been enough.
But not for Raman.
Every evening, after finishing his desk job, he rushed to the IACS in Calcutta. There, in a modest, poorly funded lab, he worked late into the night, driven by the same curiosity that had gripped him as a child.
What happened next would change the course of Indian science forever.
Raman Effect: The Discovery That Made Light Speak
For centuries, scientists believed that when light passed through a transparent material, it only scattered in the same wavelength. But Raman was convinced otherwise. Inspired by the deep blue colour of the Mediterranean Sea, which he observed during a ship journey, he began questioning why the sea appeared blue. Contrary to the prevailing theory that it was merely a reflection of the sky, Raman suspected that light was undergoing scattering at a molecular level.
Determined to prove his theory, he and his assistant K.S. Krishnan conducted a series of experiments, passing monochromatic light through various liquids and solids. What they observed was groundbreaking—some of the scattered light had shifted in wavelength. This proved that light, when interacting with matter, could lose or gain energy, revealing crucial information about the structure of molecules.
Raman Effect was born. It became one of the most powerful tools in scientific research. It was the first experimental proof that molecular vibrations could influence scattered light. Raman Effect became a fundamental principle that is now used in fields ranging from chemistry to medicine.
Why India Celebrates National Science Day on February 28
On February 28, 1928, C.V. Raman and his team conclusively observed and recorded the Raman Effect. Two years later, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, making him the first Asian to receive a Nobel in the sciences.
Recognising the impact of this discovery, the Government of India designated February 28 as National Science Day in 1986 to honour Raman’s contribution and to promote scientific temper across the country.
It is not just a tribute to Raman but a reminder that India has the intellectual prowess to lead global scientific advancements.
A Discovery That Transformed Science and Industry
At the time of its discovery, the Raman Effect was a curiosity, an intriguing new property of light. Today, it is one of the most important tools in modern science and industry.
- Spectroscopy and Chemical Analysis – Raman spectroscopy allows scientists to study the molecular composition of substances without destroying them. It is widely used in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, and material sciences.
- Medical and Biological Applications – Raman spectroscopy is used in cancer detection, drug analysis, and even DNA research, allowing for precise, non-invasive diagnostics.
- Forensic Science – Law enforcement agencies use Raman spectroscopy to analyse trace evidence, drugs, and counterfeit materials without tampering with samples.
- Space Exploration – NASA’s Perseverance Rover, currently exploring Mars, carries a Raman spectrometer to analyse the composition of Martian rocks, searching for signs of ancient life.
- Environmental Monitoring – Raman spectroscopy helps in detecting pollutants in water and air, making it a crucial tool for climate science.
Raman’s discovery has applications so far-reaching that they extend from the smallest molecules in a medical lab to the vast expanse of space exploration.
Beyond the Nobel: C.V. Raman’s Other Contributions
While the Raman Effect brought him global fame, C.V. Raman’s work extended far beyond light scattering. He made significant contributions to acoustics, particularly in understanding how sound travels in musical instruments like the violin and the tabla.
Sir Raman’s research on the structure of diamonds and optical properties of crystals laid the foundation for later studies in material sciences. As the director of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and founder of the Raman Research Institute, he became the flagbearer of science and in mentoring the next generation of Indian scientists.
Raman was not just a scientist; he was a visionary leader who believed that India’s scientific future lay in indigenous research, not dependence on Western discoveries.
The Legacy and the Future
C.V. Raman’s legacy is not just in his discoveries but in the scientific spirit he ignited in India. His work demonstrated that world-class research could be conducted in India. This paved the way for institutions like ISRO, DRDO, and IITs to thrive.
Yet, as India celebrates National Science Day, the question remains: Is India living up to Raman’s vision?
While India has made huge strides in space exploration, nuclear technology, and AI-driven research, challenges remain, i.e., funding gaps, bureaucratic hurdles, and brain drain continue to hinder scientific progress. If India is to truly honour Raman’s legacy, science must become an integral part of national policy, industry, and education.
Why C.V. Raman and National Science Day Matters
C.V. Raman’s journey, from a curious child in Tamil Nadu to a Nobel laureate who reshaped modern physics, is nothing short of a fairy tale. It is the power of inquiry, persistence, and original thinking. His discovery of the Raman Effect revolutionised science. But more importantly, it placed India on the global scientific map. He forced the world to take India seriously when it came to science.
National Science Day is a day to encourage young minds to question, explore, and innovate. It reminds us that scientific discovery does not happen in isolation, it requires vision, courage, and relentless pursuit of truth.
As we commemorate this day, the best way to honour Raman is not just to remember his work but to embrace his spirit of curiosity and scientific excellence. Because the next great discovery—one that could change the world—might just be waiting in an Indian laboratory today.
