Date: 7th November 2013
Venue: IT Seminar Hall, School of Technology, NEHU Shillong
Welcome Address by Dr. Subhash C. Arya, Head of the Department, ECE
A very good morning to everyone present here! It is with immense joy and deep respect that I extend a heartfelt welcome to all of you on this special occasion as we celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of one of India’s most distinguished scientists, Nobel Laureate Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman.
At the outset, I would like to wish each one of you a Happy Birth Anniversary of Prof. C.V. Raman — a day dedicated to honoring his groundbreaking contributions to science, which continue to inspire generations.
I am particularly delighted to acknowledge the esteemed presence of our chief guest, Honourable Prof. ManMohan Sing, Dean of the School of Education — the centre of today’s celebration. I also extend a warm welcome to the respected Heads of Departments, distinguished faculty members including Prof. Koparkar, Dr. Hemant Kalita, Dr. Dinesh Bhatia, Dr. L. Robindro Singh, our dedicated technical staff — the unsung pillars of the School of Technology — and, of course, our ever-enthusiastic and valued students, whose curiosity and passion make occasions like this truly meaningful.
It gives me great pride to share a small but significant personal moment from this morning: when I opened the Google homepage, I was thrilled to see a tribute dedicated to Sir C.V. Raman and his path-breaking discovery — the Raman Effect. What a fitting global recognition of an Indian scientist’s brilliance! I honestly cannot recall another Nobel Laureate being honored in such a public and universal way in recent times. Let’s give a big round of applause to celebrate this proud moment!
The inspiration for organizing today’s event came to me just a few days ago, during the recent NEHU Convocation, when the Honourable President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee, spoke passionately about the contributions of Indian universities and specifically highlighted the legacy of Prof. C.V. Raman. It sparked in me a strong desire to ensure that we, as a community of learners, do not let this day pass without reflection and celebration.
Born on November 7, 1888, in Madras, Prof. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his pioneering work on the scattering of light — the discovery that came to be known as the Raman Effect. This remarkable breakthrough, carried out on February 28, 1928, at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science in collaboration with K.S. Krishnan, continues to shape modern physics. The date of this historic experiment is now celebrated across the country as National Science Day.
Allow me to share a fascinating anecdote that speaks volumes about Prof. Raman’s conviction and confidence. Such was his belief in his work that, well before the Nobel Prize announcements were made, he had already booked his tickets to Sweden in July — fully expecting to be chosen — and would eagerly scan the newspapers every morning for the official confirmation. True to his expectations, the announcement came, and history was made: Prof. Raman became the first Asian to be awarded the Nobel Prize in the sciences.
Today, as we gather here, let us not only celebrate his achievements but also reflect on the deeper purpose of this commemoration — to nurture and strengthen the spirit of scientific inquiry. Let us think scientifically, speak scientifically, and most importantly, act scientifically — as that is the true tribute to Sir C.V. Raman’s legacy.
Thank you all for your patient and attentive presence. Now, I invite Ms. Surahi Sharma to carry forward today’s program.
