National Science Day 2023:
India celebrates National Science Day on 28th February every year to mark the discovery of the Raman effect on 28 February 1928 for which Sir C.V. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for the year 1930. The theme of the National Science Day 2023 is “Global Science for Global Wellbeing”. In the first National Science Day of the ‘Amritkaal’ this is recognition for the idea that Science is universal and is for everyone’s well being and progress, not the preserve of a few. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) acts as a nodal agency to support, catalyse and coordinate celebration of the National Science Day throughout the country.
As a Physicist who studied at Allahabad University, I have made some contributions on this National Science Day. All of them are in the nature of spreading Scientific awareness for Global well being. I am a Ph.D. student of Prof SK Joshi, who was a Ph.D. student of Prof K Banerji, who was a Ph.D. student of Prof KS Krishnan, who worked closely with Sir CV Raman.
The first is a weeklong course on ‘ First Principles and Scientific Temper’ in fulfilment of the Directive Principles in Article 51(A) (h) of the Constitution of India. The second is a series of weekend courses on topics that I have labelled as ‘Contemporary Physics’, for high ability students who dream beyond just getting into IITs. The typical School leaving curriculum does not cover the most exciting recent developments in Physics. Much of contemporary physics topics, of which some have been the subject of recent Nobel Prizes is available to almost everyone with an enthusiasm, and a good Internet connection.
This series begins with the James Webb Space telescope ( JWST), not knowing about which cost Google US$ 100 billion in its botched up demo of Bard, and explores topics such as ……. Symmetry in Physics, key Quantum concepts, spin, Quantum Entanglement, Superconductivity, the standard model in Physics, Complexity, Complex adaptive systems, Special Theory of Relativity, General theory of Relativity, Frontiers of Physics.
And the third is another weekend course “ Why learn Physics?” directed at students of class 10 to share the enthusiasm and excitement of the world of Physics. The NEP 2020 encourages the learners to not restrict themselves to traditional courses and combinations, but explore choices based on their interests and aspirations. But who informs the prospective learner about what are the features and attributes of different subjects, that make it worthwhile to learn them. I have made a beginning with this weekend course on “ Why learn Physics ?”.
The flow of topics for this weekend course is : What is Physics?,thinking like a Physicist, The map of Physics, and how the life of an ‘ordinary’ Physicist can be ‘extra-ordinary’.
To know more, feel free to send me a WhatsApp message at +919810073724
Wishing everyone a wonderful National Science Day 2023.
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