Agartala: Feb 28: National Science Day, celebrated every year on February 28th, commemorates the groundbreaking discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by Nobel laureate Sir C.V. Raman in 1928. Since its initiation in 1987, this day has been observed nationwide to promote scientific knowledge and encourage a rational mindset. In Agartala, the celebrations at Paradise Chowmuhani this year followed the familiar pattern, with programs that included garlanding the portraits of esteemed scientists, oath-taking ceremonies, discussions, hands-on science exhibitions, anti-superstition performances, and sky observations with telescopes. These activities engage people of all ages and emphasize the importance of scientific inquiry and education.
National Science Day not only honors Sir C.V. Raman’s contributions but also seeks to inspire students and the general public to embrace science and critical thinking. The focus is on promoting scientific literacy through experiments and discussions, thereby cultivating a scientific temperament that encourages innovation and rationality.
However, despite India’s remarkable progress in science and technology over the past 75 years of independence, the country still faces a significant challenge—an enduring prevalence of superstitions, blind beliefs, and ignorance. The intellectuals of the Renaissance period, including figures like Ram Mohan Roy, Vidyasagar, Akshay Kumar Dutta, and Mahendralal Sarkar, fought for the introduction of modern scientific education to foster rationalism and challenge regressive traditions. Their efforts laid the groundwork for scientific reasoning, but today, there is concern that this foundation is becoming increasingly undermined.
In light of this, the Breakthrough Science Society, which has been organizing National Science Day celebrations for many years, used this occasion to advocate for the eradication of superstitions. The society’s programs aim to inspire individuals to adopt a scientific mindset and combat the persistence of outdated beliefs, continuing the work of past intellectuals to build a more rational, scientifically-informed society.
