EDUCATION
Alongside Mahatma Gandhi, the omission of this astrophysicist remains one most curious cases of Indians who were overlooked for the Nobel Prize.
Just like one of its most famous errors, one that the Nobel Committee admitted in 2001, of not awarding one to Mahatma Gandhi, a question mark will always remain on the decision to overlook legendary Indian astrophysicist Meghad Saha. The scientist who was forced to leave school and faced discrimination in college, went on to make one of the most important discoveries in astronomy in recent times. However, he arguably did not received his due despite the stellar contribution. He never won a Nobel, despite being nominated several times.
The 1893 born astrophysicist grew up in a Bengali family in a village in Dhaka during the pre-Independence era. He came from a poor background and was the son of a grocer. Saha faced caste discrimination as a young college student. He was also forced to leave his school for being part of the Swadeshi movement. Despite such hurdles, he went on to become a professor at the Allahabad University and University of Calcutta.
Saha is behind the Saha ionizing equation, one of the most important discoveries in the last century. He published his research in 1920 which was further advanced by American scientist Irving Langmuir. The discovery that greatly helped other scientists studying stars has been called among the most important since the telescope which Galileo created in 1608. Saha earned Nobel nominations in 1930, 1939, 1940, 1951 and 1955 but missed each time. He passed away in 1956 without his name on the biggest prize.
While the equation was improved a few years later, the important discovery may have suffered from misunderstanding about its scope of significance across fields. This may have been behind Saha being overlooked. Furthermore, some confusion regarding the exact creator of the underlying theory of the equation that may have led to the omission.
A 1917 paper of Saha that should have been published in the Astrophysical Journal was not as the scientist was unable to afford the cost of printing, according to a report from The Wire. It was eventually published in a paper that was no match for the Astrophysical Journal in terms of readers.
“… I might claim to be the originator of the Theory of Selective Radiation Pressure, though on account of discouraging circumstances, I did not pursue the idea to develop it. E.A. Milne apparently read a note of mine in Nature 107, 489 (1921) because in his first paper on the subject ‘Astrophysical Determination of Average of an Excited Calcium Atom’, in Month. Not. R. Ast. Soc., Vol.84, he mentioned my contribution in a footnote, though nobody appears to have noticed. His exact words are: ‘These paragraphs develop ideas originally put forward by Saha’,” Saha was quoted to have said about the issue.
Photo Credit: Unscientific Storytelling
Bengaluru: Several feared trapped as under-construction building collapses
Best Cheap VPS Hosting Providers: Top Picks for Hosting Under USD 10
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal set to raise Rs 8500 crore, says it is meant to...
BRICS Summit 2024: PM Modi meets President Putin, says India ready to cooperate in...
Meet man, Nepal's only billionaire, owns this instant noodles brand, his net worth is Rs…
‘Rohit Sharma changed Playing XI before toss’: Sanju Samson makes BIG revelation about T20 WC final
BJP leader's son marries Pakistani woman online, after he fails to get visa, watch viral video
Good news for Gautam Adani, his Rs 121000 crore company's net profit jumps 172% to Rs...
Empowering Neurodiversity: Strategies for Inclusive Supplier Diversity By Harshila Gujar
Big move by BSNL, launches 7 new services to woo users, challenge for Mukesh Ambani's Reliance Jio
India star Sarfaraz Khan blessed with a baby boy, pics go viral
Parineeti Chopra has a perfect reply to hubby Raghav Chadha's heartwarming birthday wish
'Will work with India to implement...': China on LAC patrolling agreement
Tata-BSNL partnership promises BIG relief for customers, set to provide fast internet in...
'This is pathetic, disgusting': Nia Sharma faces backlash for promoting 'vagina tightening' tablets
Big move by Gautam Adani: Ambuja Cements to acquire this cement brand for Rs 8100 crore
Why US Presidential Election is always held on first Tuesday in November?
'Perfect for him': Aamir Khan in talks to play Kishore Kumar in Anurag Basu's film; fans react
After calling Prabhas a 'joker', Arshad Warsi says 'everyone is allowed to...'
BRICS Summit Prelude: India and China move to defuse border tensions
Sakshi Malik’s BIG claim, says BJP's Babita Phogat wanted to be WFI chief, encouraged wrestlers to…
India launches its 4th nuclear-powered submarine, set to play major role in…
Uttar Pradesh: 6 killed in oxygen cylinder blast in Bulandshahr house
Why Kriti Sanon used to be called 'Tiger didi'? Actress reveals reason
'Zyada Hero Ban Raha Hai': Rohit Sharma's chat with teammate caught on stump mic, video goes viral
Prince Narula, Yuvika Chaudhary share FIRST photo of their daughter
Delhi AQI October 22: Air quality in ‘very poor’ category, Centre imposes GRAP Stage II from today
Man who threatened Salman Khan, demanded Rs 5 crore, issues apology: 'It was...'
Karni Sena announces Rs 1,11,11,111 for any police officer who kills Lawrence Bishnoi
US Presidential Elections 2024: Republican Donald Trump sued for defamation by Central Park Five
‘Will be able to…’: EAM S Jaishankar explains India, China patrolling deal along LAC
'Even double standards are...': Jaishankar's big attack on Canada amid diplomatic row
Hyundai Motor India IPO listing today: All you need to know about largest-ever IPO in India
Diwali Gift: THIS company gave Tata, Maruti cars to its employees ahead of festival, they cost Rs…
IMD issues alerts as Cyclone Dana approaches, heavy rainfall predicted for these states
RSMSSB Rajasthan CET 12th-level exam starts today, check guidelines here
DNA TV Show: Terror threat in Delhi after Rohini blast? Police tighten security ahead of Diwali
Taylor Swift suffers wardrobe malfunction on stage during her Miami concert, video goes viral
Ruturaj Gaikwad to lead India A squad for Australia tour; Ishan Kishan in, Shreyas Iyer misses out
THIS was going to be Aishwarya Rai's first film in Hindi but it didn't release because...
Meet woman, born in Pakistan, attempted suicide at 22, now leads Rs 1 lakh crore company, she is...
IPL 2025: This star overseas player likely to be KKR's top retention over captain Shreyas Iyer
Deepinder Goyal's Zomato clarifies on 'Continue', says 'Not venturing into...'
This company paid Rs 1328 crore tax to move its headquarters to India from US, it works in...
Meet man who works in Rs 1617003 crore company, now set to lead Walt Disney as...
Tata Group set to construct landmark building to honour Ratan Tata in...