Sir CV Raman left an indelible mark on physics and gifted the world with powerful insights and valuable discoveries. Did it end there? Google honoured the Nobel Prize winner with a doodle to commemorate his 125th birthday, but do Indians remember the man known to be the country’s greatest physicist?
There are scores of scholarship programmes announced in his memory, localities and colleges named after him. ‘CV Raman Nagar’ might ring a bell to few, but questions about his work and theories are met with silence.
“I have no idea what he did except that he got an award,” said Ajay Gopal, a science student who scored 96.3% in his PU exams and is now pursuing engineering from one of Bangalore’s leading colleges.
“We were taught findings of a practical scientist in book and paper and had no demonstrations in school. Our obsolete syllabus in college requires us to enter values from records written by our seniors in 2002, irrespective of the experiment we conduct,” he regretted to say.
However, Manikantan Ramanath, an engineer by qualification and a photographer by profession carries Raman’s legacy into the present and is a shining example of someone who puts theoretical knowledge into practice.
He not only quoted the Raman effect, for which Raman won the Nobel Prize, but also explained how he uses it in his work.
“It’s a wonderful theory that can be applied. In simple terms, when I take shots in open light, the formation of patterns with colours in different wave lengths can give you the desired effect if you understand the property,” he explained.
Aravind K, a physics lecturer at Christ Junior College, acknowledged the relevance of the great physicist’s findings.
“Physics is not something that can just be read,” he said, as he discussed the relevance of Raman’s contribution to various aspects of science.
“Learning happens at four levels: understanding the concepts from the theoretical base, drawing a comparison of the theory and the practical aspects, application by implementing the theory and appreciation of the learning. We are also planning to commemorate his birthday by organising a seminar in our college,” Aravind said.
Perhaps, it is not books that lead us to scientific enlightenment, but the curiosity to explore. That’s something to take away from the great physicist, if not his theories.
