National Science Day: 28th February is celebrated as National Science Day (NSD) in India. NSD is celebrated to commemorate discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’, which led to Sir C.V. Raman winning the Noble Prize. When was the day declared as National Science Day? In 1986, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) asked the Government of India to designate 28 February as National Science Day which the then Govt. of India accepted and declared the day as National Science Day in 1986. The first National Science Day was celebrated on February 28, 1987. What is Raman Effect? Raman Effect is a phenomenon in spectroscopy discovered by the eminent physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman in 1928. After two years in 1930, he got Nobel Prize for this remarkable discovery and this was the first Nobel Prize for India in the field of Science. while working in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata. Raman Effect is a change in the wavelength of light that occurs when a light beam is deflected by molecules. When a beam of light traverses a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound, a small fraction of the light emerges in directions other than that of the incident (incoming) beam. Most of this scattered light is of unchanged wavelength. A small part, however, has wavelengths different from that of the incident light; its presence is a result of the Raman Effect. NSD 2023: The theme of NSD-2023 is "Global Science for Global Wellbeing". The Global Science for Global Wellbeing theme has been chosen for the purpose of raising public appreciation of the scientific issues in global context which is having a bearing upon global wellbeing. The four fold approach of integration would consist of integration of all the scientific departments which can work on theme based approach; extended scientific integration encompassing engineering, medical and other institutions; extra scientific integration involving identification of the needs of other ministries like jal shakti, railways etc; and extended science driven all inclusive approach integrating startups & industry. National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC) of Department of Science & Technology (DST) is nodal agency to support catalyze and coordinate celebration of the NSD throughout the country, particularly in scientific institutions & research laboratories. NCSTC has supported various programmes countrywide by supporting its State S&T Councils & Departments for organization of lectures, quizzes, open houses, etc. National Awards: DST instituted National Awards in 1987 to stimulate, encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of science popularization and communication and in promoting scientific temper. The National S&T Communication Awards, Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research (AWSAR) awards, and SERB Women Excellence Awards and Rajendra Prabhu Memorial Appreciation Shield for outstanding work in science media and journalism are also being conferred on NSD. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in S&T Communication is being conferred on Karnataka Science and Technology Academy, Bengaluru. Award consists of Rs. 5,00,000/- (Rupees Five lakh), a memento and a citation. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in S&T Communication through Print Media including Books and Magazines is being conferred on 1. Prof. Mayadhar Swain, Bhubaneswar; 2. Dr. Biju Dharmapalan, Thiruvananthapuram. Award consists of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two lakh), a memento and a citation. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in S&T Popularization among Children has been conferred on 1. Dr. Krishnarao Appasani, Hyderabad. 2. Dr. Uday Kumar Kakroo, New Delhi. Award consists of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two lakh), a memento and a citation. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Translation of Popular Science & Technology Literature in languages mentioned in the eighth schedule of the Constitution of India and in English - Shri Tarun Kumar Jain, Jaipur National Award for Outstanding Efforts in S&T through Innovative and Traditional methods is being conferred on Shri Anjan Banik, Agartala. Award consists of Rs.2,00,000/- (Rupees Two lakh), a memento and a citation. National Award for Outstanding Efforts in Science & Technology Communication in the Electronic Medium has been conferred on Shri Rakesh Andania, New Delh Augmenting writing skills for articulating research (AWSAR) Award is conferred on Outstanding Story (PDF category) - Dr Amritesh Kumar, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras AWSAR Award: First Prize (Ph.D. category) - Ms. Neha Parashar, Indian Institute of Technology, Patna AWSAR Award: Second prize (Ph.D. category) - 1. Ms. Anis Fatema, International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad 2. Mr. Ankush Wankhade, Mahatma Phule Krishi Vidyapeeth, Rahuri AWSAR Award: Third prize (Ph.D. category) - 1. Ms. Monica Pandey, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad. 2. Ms. Rohini B, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysore Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) Women Excellence Award Source : DST History of the National Science Day: The National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) requested the Central Government to designate 28 February as National Science Day (NSD) in 1986. It was done with a view to honour not just the achievements of Sir C.V. Raman but also of other scientists for their achievements in the scientific field. Upon approval, National Science Day is celebrated all over India in schools, colleges, universities and other institutions. Following the first NSD on Feb 28 1987, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication announced the creation of the National Science Popularization Awards which recognised individuals for their contributions in the realm of science and communication. Significance of National Science Day: The NSD is celebrated with a view to spread the message about the significance of science and how it improves the daily lives of the common folk. In addition, its celebration also has the following objectives in mind. Display all activities, efforts and achievements in the field of science To provide opportunity for those citizens of India interested in science To foster and encourage interest in science and technology. Frequently Asked Questions Related to National Science Day Q1 What is the Raman Effect? Raman effect is the inelastic scattering of photons by matter, meaning that there is an exchange of energy and a change in the light’s direction. Q2 Why is National Science Day celebrated? The National Science Day is celebrated to encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of science and technology and inculcating scientific temper among the masses.
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