Essay on “National Science Day-February 28” Complete Essay for Class 10, Class 12 and Graduation and other classes.

National Science Day-February 28

National Science Day February is celebrated on February 28^th all over India. On this day in 1928 a major discovery in science was made in our country using a simple experiment. That is none other than the ‘Raman Effect’ named its discoverer  Sir. C.V. Raman. It  fetched him the Noble Prize and placed India firmly in the list of scientifically progressing countries.

Sir. C.V. Raman started contributing to  science even at the young age of 18 by publishing his inventions and discoveries in international magazines like ‘Nature’. He started the first Indian Scientific Research Institute to promote scientific investigation among the Indians.

Ina n effort to popularize the benefits of scientific knowledge, 28 February is celebrated as National Science Day. The activates held  to commemorate this occasion include debates, quiz competitions, exhibitions and lectures involving both students and teachers of colleges and schools. All programmes and activities revolve round a theme selected for focus every year. The theme for the 21^st National Science Day 2007 is “More Crop Per Drop”.

 Objective of the Day

The basic objective in the observation of National Science Day is to spread the message of importance of science and its application among young people. This is essential to accelerate the pace of development. Even in the 21^st century, despite many significant achievements, certain sections of our society are still guided by blind faith and beliefs, which is reflected in the quality of decision    making on developmental issues.

Observation of National Science Day attempts at generating scientific minded citizens that helps of inculcate scientific outlook among school children. Health and hygiene issues are prime concerns for the common people. The daily application of  science like the use of clean drinking water, knowledge to eradicate contagious diseases, the know how of various agricultural practice  to increase crop production and the usefulness of biodiversity conservation are disseminated to the future generation.

Science has contributed a great deal towards human welfare. Ranging from environmental issues, disease eradication, space exploration, energy production, information highway, science and technology has broken barriers to bring peace and prosperity with a cleaner environment with sustainable use of resource for the benefit of mankind. Biotechnology is making a major impact in the growth of agriculture, health, environment, industry and pharmaceutical sectors, Communication at   lower costs, with greater accessibility, is another product of technological advancement.

Biography

Chandrasekhar Venkata Raman, popularly known as C.V. Raman was born in Thiruchirapalli, in Tamil Nadu on November 1888. He was the second child of Chandrasekhar lyer and Parvathi Ammal. His father  was a lecturer in Mathematics and physics so that even from his early years Raman was immersed in an academic atmosphere. At a very young age, Raman moved to the city of Vishakapatnam, in the state of Andhra Pradesh. On May 6, 1907, he married Lokasundari Ammal.

Raman grew up in  an atmosphere of music , Sanskrit literature and science. He completed secondary school education at the age of 11, later he moved to the prestigious Presidency Colleges Madras. In 1904, when he was fifteen of age, he received his B.A. Honors in Physics and English. He gained. M.A degree in 1907 obtaining the highest distinction. On completion of studies, Raman served as an accountant under the Department of  Finance of the Indian government. He was elected to the Royal Society of London in 1924.

At the time of Raman’s graduation, there were few opportunities for scientists in India. This forced him to accept a position with the Indian Civil services as an Assistant Accountant   General in Calcutta. His love for science, enthusiasm to work and the curiosity of learning new things made him immensely interested in the study of sound. When he was eighteen years of age, one of his first research papers was published in the ‘Philosophical Magazine’ of England. Later another paper was published in the scientific journal ‘ Nature’.

He served as a Professor in Physics at the University of Calcutta from 1917 till 1948. He then took over as the Director of the Raman Institute of Research at Bangalore, founded and endowed by his own self.

The Raman Effect 

We are delighted to see a rainbow. Shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet are seen in it. The white ray of the sun includes all these colours, when a beam of sunlight is passed through a glass prism a patch of these color bands are seen. This is called spectrum. These spectral lines are characteristic of the light passing through the prism. A beam of light that resulting a single spectral line is said to be monochromatic. When a beam of monochromatic light passes through a transparent substance the beam gets scattered.  

Raman spent a long time in the study of scattered light. On February 28, 1928 he observed two low intensity spectral line corresponding to the incident mono-chromatic light. Years of his labor had borne fruit. Raman’s experiments discovered a phenomenon that was lying   hidden in nature. The 16^th of March 1928 is a memorable day in the history of science. It was on this day, Raman proclaimed the new phenomenon discovered by him to the world. It attracted the attention of research worker all over the world and came to be known as the “Raman Effect”.

Honours and Awards

Raman received many honor from all over the world for his achievement. In 1928 the Science Society of Rome Awarded him the Matteucci Medal. The British conferred the knighthood in 1929 and from then on, he came to be known as Professor Sir C.V. Raman. The following year he was honored with the prestigious Hughes medal  from the Royal society. Honorary Doctorate degrees were conferred  on him by the universities of Freiburg (Germany), Glasgow (England), Paris (France), Bombay, Bennaras, Patna, Mysore, and several others. In 1930, the Swedish Academy of Sciences chose Raman to receive the Noble Prize for Physics. He was the first Indian, more precisely first Asian has received this award in his days.

He was appointed as the Director of the Tata Institute in Bangalore in 1933. The Tata Institute soon became famous for the study of crystals. The diffraction of light by ultrasonic waves in a liquid was elegantly explained by Raman and Nagendranath. This became known as the ‘Raman –Nath Theory’.

In order to encourage scientific research in India, Raman established the Academy of Sciences in 1934. From that year, the science journal ‘The Proceedings of the Academy’ is being published every month till date. The Executive Committee of the Academy named the centre as ‘ Raman Research Institute’ in 1948, he became the Director of the Institute.

The greatest honor that the Government of India conferred on an Indian is the award of ‘ Bharat Ratna’. Raman became a ‘ Bharat Ratna’ in 1954. CV Raman is the uncle of Noble laureate and Physicist Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar.

Scientific literacy

Scientific literacy means applying the rules of Science in solving problems. Scientific literacy starts with reading these scientific facts, practicing the rules of scientific discovery, and learning about the establishment of facts. For what we call a fact is relation between objects. Achieving scientific literacy means to grasp the origin of this relation. Scientific literacy is ever more important in a world dependent on technology and science.

There are three steps in achieving scientific literacy. The first step includes learning of facts by reading, observing, and listening. Second, is applying its rules (the syntax) to create a context. In  science, this requires the use of mathematics by which we represent relations between objects. Third, practice not just to read and understand the logic of factual knowledge , but to work with your hands, read with your senses, and think with your brain.

A scientifically literate person

1.Knows something of the role of science in society and appreciates the cultural conditions; knows that conceptual inventions and investigative procedures.

2. Understands the inter-relationships of science and society, ethics, the nature of science, including basic concepts and relationships of science and humanities.
3. Appreciates the role of science in a humanistic way, and feels comfortable when reading or talking with other about science at a non- technical level.
4. May never create any ideas pertaining to science, but will be conversant with the ideas that are being considered.

Year of Scientific Awareness

In an effort of boost the interest of students in basic sciences, the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India has announced 2004 as the ‘ Year of Scientific Awareness’ (YSA 2004) 1. DST is functioning as the nodal department to coordinate and monitor activities during the year through the National Council for Science and Technology Communication  (NCSTC) and Vigyan Prasar (VP). The main objectives of YSA 2004 were:

1. to enhance public awareness on the importance of science and technology;

2.to convey the excitement of advances in science and technology to the young;

3. to stimulate scientific temper in the common man, and
4. to increase the capacity of the community for informed decisions-making.

Science  and Humanity

Technology – the application of science- has made fantastic advances in every aspect of life: better health, more wealth, less drudgery and greater access to information. However, there is another side to the picture. The knowledge  gained through or science has been misdirected to the detriment of mankind. The application of science and technology to the development and manufacture of weapons of mass’ destruction has created a real threat to the continued existence of the human race on this planet.

Nowadays science can be said to have acquired a somewhat similar role in relation to humanity; the destiny of mankind lying in the hands of scientists. The time ahs thus come for some sort of Hippocratic Oath to be formulated for scientists. A solemn oath, or a pledge , taken when receiving the degree in science, would , at the least, have an important symbolic value, but it might also generate awareness and stimulate thoughts about the wider issues among young scientists.

The implementation of these proposals would go some way towards the prevention of harmful consequences of scientific research. It would enable the scientist’s creativity to fulfil its proper function: enhance our cultural and intellectual heritage, and , at the same time, protect the environment and improve the material lot of human beings, thus helping the establishment of an equitable and peaceful world.

Man & Science

We are in the age of science and technology. Man cannot live without the  aid of science. Science has so much engulfed our lives that nothing can  take place in our day to day  work without the help of science. Our food, transport, learning  , administration, recreation and social life are all linked with science in various ways.     

A very important aspect of advancement in the field of science and technology is the analytical reasoning and removal of various orthodoxical  and superstitious beliefs thus enlightening the common people.. the tremendous advancement in nuclear technology medical science, bio-technology , nano-technology etc., has made a almost everything possible. 

The forecasting of weather, surgery of brain, heart transplantation, heart valve change, planting of every human organ including  eyes limbs and every bone has made a man more than immortal. The progress in bio- science in genetic engineering has made the man envying with God. The cloning of sheep has become a reality and now researches are being made in cloning of human beings.

The fast development in science and technology has put the nature in great danger. The air, water and noise  pollution, global warming have put the existence of world at stake. The invention of chemical weapons has also jeopardized the whole civilization that may put the humanity in danger of incurable diseases. The rapid progress in genetic  engineering can make it possible to develop clone of human beings the disastrous effects of such invention can ruin every fabric of morality, ethics and the civilization.

The worst curse of advancement in science and technology is that man has started feeling himself Almighty and ignoring the spiritual and  human values. The man lost his peace of mind, the inner satisfaction, the values of ethics in the realm of new and newer advancement in science and technology.

Science – Blessing or Curse

In brief, science and technology has brought both good and evil to the present world. No invention or technological advancement is itself   bad or good, it is the user who turns it into blessing or curse. If use them to destroy others, they become curse, otherwise they are blessing.

Man is a rational being. He can safeguard himself against all odds. That is how he was able to conquer and control all other creature sin the world. So let us believe that his wisdom will prevail and he would reason out for the well-being of his kind on this planet.

It is the man, who has to ponder over the question what he wish to make the world a heaven or a hell, it is his decision which makes the science and technology a ‘blessing’ or a ‘curse’.

When the universe reveals more secrets to man by means of science, there is hope that the present man will become a superman and eventually science would be only a boon and not a bane of his life. Since without conscience is death of the soul. 

Essay No. 2

Science – A Blessing

The modern age is an age of science. Science is the greatest boon to the modern world. Modern discoveries and inventions have increased human comforts and happiness. Things which were considered to be impossible in the  past are now actually happening before us. Science has revolutionized our life. the clothes we wear, the food we eat, the pictures we see are the boons of science. Science has conquered time and distance. It is because of science that man has put his foot on the moon.

In the sphere of transport and communication , Science has rendered a great service to mankind. The days of motor cars and railway trains as new means have passed away today we live in the age of aeroplanes. Aeroplanes are the quickest means of transport. Telephone, Telegraphs and wireless are wonderful gifts of science. We can talk to our friends or relations over a vast distance within a very short time. Plane can travel with safety and speed. We can take our breakfast in India, lunch in London and dinner in  U.S.A. The distance of months and years is covered in hours and days.

Electricity has brought a revolution in the life of man. It is the most useful of all inventions of science. Electricity has made our domestic life sweet and comfortable. As a means of transport, electricity ahs provided us- electric cars, trams and trains which move with great speed. An automatic electric machine cuts twenty nine thousands slices of bread in an hour.

Electricity is the wonderful gift of science. It is very useful in daily life. it lights our houses, shops and streets. We prepare food and wash clothes with its help. It gives us cool air in summer. It keeps us warm in winter. It drives our machines. It works our radios and cinemas. It has removed darkness form the world.

Science has given us wonderful medicines. They give immediate relief to us. Now serious operations are possible. X’ rays help us to know the interior parts  of the body. It has given us eyes to see, ears to hear and legs to walk. Science has done wonderful work in the medical sphere. It has greatly increased our comforts and happiness. Medical Science has relieved human pain. Many new medicines have been invented. Many fatal diseases, which were considered incurable, now  can be easily cured. Radium and X- Rays are very helpful to modern doctors. X- Ray enables a doctor to find out internal fracture or  injury easily. It has given eyes to the blind, legs to the lame and hearing to the deaf. Attempts are being made to conquer death.

Science has given us wonderful means of recreation. Cinema, radio, television, gramophone and photography give a true type of recreation. Cinema is the best and the cheapest source of recreation. Radio delights our homes. We can hear speeches, dramas, dialogues and various other types of programmes on the radio. Television sets enable us not only to listen but also to see the face of the singer.

Science has also given gifts to agriculture and industry. It has made tractors.  We can plough our land, sow seed, and reap harvest with their help tube wells, another gift , water our fields. Chemical fertilizers help the farmer to grow rich crops. Science   has destroyed plant diseases. Machines produce nearly all necessary things of our life. they help industries. They help to meet of growing population. They give work to thousands of people. They give food to the hungry and clothes to the naked.

In words of Pt. Nehru , “Life Today is governed and conditional by the off- shoots of science. We cannot imagine of existence without it.” Life today is not only controlled but determined and directed by branches of science. Science is in all spheres of life. it is everywhere, so we cannot think a life without science. Science is a boon to human life.