Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi said Satyendra Nath Bose was a “crusader” for teaching of science in vernacular languages and had started a Bengali science magazine.

PM Modi addressed a curtain-raiser ceremony of the commemoration of professor Satyendra Nath Bose’s 125th birth anniversary in Kolkata, via video-conferencing, on Monday.

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PM Modi pitched for using vernacular languages in promoting science communication in a “big way” to develop “love of science” in the youth, saying language should not be a barrier but a facilitator.

“To promote understanding and love of science among our youth, it is vital that we promote science communication in a big way. Language should not be a barrier but a facilitator in this task,” Modi said.

PM Modi also asked the scientists to use their fundamental knowledge to help the general public in today’s life.

The Prime Minister said it was important in today’s world that the final outcome of the innovation and research should be judged for their positive impact on the lives of poor people.

“Whether through your innovations, life of any poor is getting easier, whether difficulties of middle class are reducing?” PM Modi asked.

PM Modi asked scientists to determine their subjects of research keeping in mind the socio-economic challenges faced by the country.

PM Modi addresses curtain raiser ceremony

About Satyendra Nath Bose

Physicist Satyendra Nath Bose, born on January 1, 1894, in Calcutta. He is best known for his work on quantum mechanics in the early 1920s, providing the foundation for Bose-Einstein statistics and the theory of the Bose-Einstein condensate.

Satyendra Nath Bose discovered what became known as ‘bosons’ and went on to work with Albert Einstein to define one of two basic classes of subatomic particles.

Much of the credit for discovering the boson, or “God particle,” was given to British physicist Peter Higgs, much to the chagrin of the Indian government and people.

The fundamental importance of Bose’s work may be understood from the fact that several Nobel Prizes in Physics have been awarded to researchers carrying forward his ideas to diverse physical applications. But, Bose was never awarded a Nobel Prize.

Government of India honored Bose in 1954 with the title Padma Vibhushan, the second-highest civilian award in India. Five years later, he was appointed as the National Professor, the highest honor in the country for a scholar.

A self-taught scholar and a polymath, he had a wide range of interests in varied fields including physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology, mineralogy, philosophy, arts, literature, and music. He served on many research and development committees in sovereign India.

The S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, an autonomous institute under Department of Science & Technology has befittingly chosen to bear the name of the colossal physicist will commemorate the 125th birth anniversary of the scientist throughout the year by organizing several seminars, academic and social outreach activities.

(With agency inputs)