National Science Day 2023: What is it and why is it celebrated in India
CV Raman
February 28 is celebrated as National Science Day in India. The day marks the announcement of discovery of 'Raman Effect' a scientific phenomenon named after Indian scientist and Nobel Laureate Sir CV Raman. Indian government headed by then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi decided in 1986 to celebrate February 28 as National Science Day each year.It was on this day in 1928 that CV Raman decided to announce his discovery to the world.
CV Raman, the great mind
Sir CV Raman was born in 1888 in Trichy (now Tiruchirapalli) in Madras Presidency of pre-independence India. He completed his BA from Presidency College at a tender age of 16. He went on to do masters and got published in the Philosophical Magazine.
He became a civil servant in Calcutta and did after-hours research in Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS). He research won awards.
By 1921, he had gained reputation as a brilliant scientific mind in India as well as in the West. He made his first journey to England that year and it was during the return voyage by sea, his keen observation led him to develop Raman Effect, which won him the Nobel Prize, the highest global honour for excellence in scientific fields.
What is Raman Effect?
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
Bomb-making note found at Ayodhya medical college, 1st-year student detained. Here’s all we know
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
CJP's Abhijit Dipke speaks to protesting students in Jharkhand, extends support to their demands: Will he go to Ranchi?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
How often does an S-400 need maintenance?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian tanks are much lighter compared to US tanks
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
From Tom Holland-Zendaya to Blake Lively-Ryan Reynolds: Actors who met on sets and fell in love and married
)
World's largest digital camera captures over 500,000 galaxies, 50,000 stars in one stunning image
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
7 longest flights in the world - Singapore, Qantas, Qatar and others
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
One S-400 battery, dozens of targets: How it fights an air battle in seconds
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
Tamil Nadu leader Udhayanidhi Stalin draws severe backlash over derogatory remark against Trisha
)
'Muslims should not befriend kaafirs': Pak Army DG says India-Afghan ties that of 'master-slave'
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New OTT releases this week (August 3-9, 2026): Main Vaapas Aaunga, Uyir, Operation Safed Sagar- 6 titles coming on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
What’s happening in Nepal? How did a local clash turn into communal violence? WION Decodes
)
Who is Ruchika Singh, booked for using foul language against PM Modi at Jantar Mantar protests?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why are iPhones so expensive compared to Android phones?
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC ODI rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 openers with fastest ODI centuries, check who tops list
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian jets use heavier steel compared to US jets
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 bowlers in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
‘Pakistan eroded India's faith bit by bit’: Indian envoy defends putting Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Can an S-400 detect a bird?
)
Why did India turn down the US offer for F-35 fighter jets? EXPLAINED
)
'FIR not withdrawn' against Noida teen who 'abused' PM Modi despite apology, claims CJP
)
At least 3 killed in mass shooting at Idaho restaurant, shocking video of gunman open firing with AR-style rifle surfaces
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
'Fifth-generation fighters': Can the S-400 shoot down an F-35?
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
From trash to energy: Scientists turn plastic waste into Hydrogen fuel using a new technique - Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Why Russian fighter pilots wear blue flight suits compared to US pilots
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
Meet top 5 batters in latest ICC Test rankings 2026 - check who sits at the top
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
August 2025 movie release calendar: Toxic, Batwara 1947, Awarapan 2 and all big-ticket films hitting theatres
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
When light falls on say, water, some part of it gets scattered. Raman said that this scattered light is of different colour (hence, of different wavelength) than the initial light. The energy of the incoming light is changed by vibrations of molecules of material under observation.
This may read extremely technical, but Raman Effect opened doors for a new non-destructive analysis technique that would reveal true nature of the substance under observation.
For example, colours used in an invaluable painting can be analysed without the need of any sample. Physically removing colours from a masterpiece like Mona Lisa for analysis would definitely not be the best course of action. Raman Effect and Raman Spectroscopy can come in handy in such similar situations.
You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.
WATCH WION LIVE HERE