EDITORIAL
Giving a push to developing scientific temper would be the best tribute to Sir C V Raman
National Science Day is celebrated every year on February 28 to honour the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ by eminent physicist Sir C V Raman while working in the laboratory of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata. For this discovery, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. Born in Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, he did his schooling at St Aloysius’ Anglo-Indian High School, Visakhapatnam, and graduated from Presidency College, Madras (now Chennai). While in college, he published his first scientific paper at the age of 18 on ‘Unsymmetrical diffraction bands due to a rectangular aperture’ in a British journal in 1906.
Recognising the importance of the Raman Effect and the contribution of Sir Raman, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC) in 1986 proposed that the Government of India declare February 28 as National Science Day. The first celebration took place on February 28, 1987, marking the beginning of a tradition that continues to inspire generations. The basic objective of observing the Day is to spread awareness about the importance of science and its applications among the people. It is celebrated as one of the main science festivals in India every year with the objective of spreading awareness about scientific applications in daily life, promoting scientific temper and popularising science and technology.
The theme of National Science Day this year is ‘Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat’. The theme focuses on honouring the crucial contributions of women scientists, researchers and innovators in transforming India into a developed nation. National Science Day celebrates India’s scientific progress and commitment to innovation. With advancements in quantum computing, AI, geospatial technology and climate research, along with initiatives fostering inclusivity and young talent, India is shaping a future driven by science and technology. In major educational institutions, women have impressive enrolment data, but they continue to remain significantly underrepresented in higher positions. Therefore, one of the biggest challenges the nation faces is having more women in positions of leadership and decision-making.
India is rapidly emerging as a global science and technology leader, ranking 38th in the Global Innovation Index 2025 and sixth in intellectual property filings. India ranks among the top nations in scientific publications. Recently, India hosted the AI Impact Summit, which was highly successful, with several world leaders attending.
There is no doubt that if India is to become a developed nation, it must ride the wave of technology, and it seems to be on the right path in AI. However, one factor that needs more attention is the promotion of scientific temper. The promotion of pseudoscience and the dilution of scientific temper are on the rise. Despite these challenges, India continues to make progress in space technology and fundamental science, showcasing a complex dual reality where high-tech achievements coexist with deep-seated traditional beliefs.
India has a profound and long-standing tradition of rational inquiry and empirical observation – from Aryabhata and Buddha to Ramanujan – spanning millennia. Yet it shows troubling signs of sliding backwards. It is unfortunate that many times we are unable to separate truth from propaganda. We tend to believe fake news and even fall prey to material subtly propagating hatred, as we fail to think rationally. A strong belief in any religion need not make one anti-rational. There is a pressing need to promote scientific temper among the people. Through the NEP, efforts must be made to inculcate an objective outlook and critical thinking among students.
