India leaves its stamp not just for its rich cultural heritage but also for its individuals who put it on the world’s science and technology map. Nandini Rao delves into their profiles, their exceptional work and service, saying how they have not only enriched India’s scientific landscape but how it earned them the coveted civilian honour of the country – the Bharat Ratna.
India, a country known for its rich cultural and scientific heritage, has been home to numerous individuals who have significantly contributed to the fields of science and technology. Their exceptional work and service have not only enriched India’s scientific landscape but have also earned them the highest civilian honour of the country – the Bharat Ratna.
One of the earliest recipients of the Bharat Ratna in the field of science was Dr. Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. A physicist by profession, Dr. Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his ground-breaking work on the scattering of light.
His research laid the foundation for several significant developments in the field of light physics. Dr. Raman’s work has had a profound impact on India’s progress in the field of scientific research in physics and chemistry and has inspired generations of Indian scientists.
Missile Man of India
Another notable recipient of the Bharat Ratna in the field of science and technology is Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam who made significant contributions to India’s satellite and missile programs. He played a pivotal role in the development of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III) and the operationalisation of strategic missiles. As the 11th President of India from 2002-2007, he also promoted scientific thinking and innovation among the youth.
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on 15 October 1931 in Rameswaram (then in the Madras Presidency), Tamil Nadu. His father owned a boat in the small town. After studying aerospace engineering in Madras Institute of Technology, Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) as a scientist.
Kalam joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969 where he was the project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III). After ten years of hard work, the SLV-III successfully launched the Rohini satellite into orbit in July 1980. This achievement established India as a self-reliant and exclusive member having its indigenous technology of launching satellites.
Dr. Kalam’s contributions to India’s missile and space technology not only elevated India’s stature but also inspired countless aspiring scientists and engineers to pursue their dreams. His visionary leadership significantly advanced India’s space technology. His work in missile technology earned him the title of the ‘Missile Man of India’.
His ground-breaking work in missile technology and his role in the successful Pokhran-II nuclear tests established India as a nuclear-armed state. His leadership also played a pivotal role in the successful Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998. Dr. Kalam’s contributions have had a lasting impact on India’s defense technology and space research. Kalam received the Bharat Ratna in 1997 for his contribution to the scientific research and modernisation of defence technology in India.
Promoting quality scientific research
In the field of science and engineering, Professor C.N.R. Rao is a Bharat Ratna laureate who has made significant contributions. An eminent scientist and honorary fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London, Prof. Rao’s work in the field of materials research has put India on the global scientific map.
He has contributed significantly to the development of the country’s scientific infrastructure and has been instrumental in promoting quality scientific research in India. His work has had a profound impact on India’s progress in the field of materials research.
Professor Chintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao, commonly known as C.N.R. Rao, is an Indian chemist who has made significant contributions to the field of solid-state and structural chemistry. He is recognised globally for his work in materials research, particularly in the development of novel synthetic methods and structures, electron transport and magnetic properties.
Born on 30 June 1934 in Bangalore, India, Professor Rao completed his BSc from Mysore University, MSc from Banaras Hindu University and earned a PhD from Purdue University. He joined the Indian Institute of Science in 1959 as a lecturer and later served as its Director from 1984 to 1994. He also founded the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and the International Centre for Materials Science.
One of his notable contributions to the field of materials research is the synthesis of two-dimensional oxide materials such as La2CuO4. His work led to a systematic study of compositionally controlled metal-insulator transitions. These studies have had a profound impact in application fields such as colossal magnetoresistance and high-temperature superconductivity.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of science, Professor Rao has received numerous awards and honours. He was conferred the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 2014. This made him the third scientist after C.V. Raman and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to receive this prestigious award. He has received honorary doctorates from 84 universities worldwide.
Pioneering technology
Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya was born on 15 September 1861 in Muddenahalli, Kingdom of Mysore (now Karnataka). He served as the 19th Dewan of Mysore from 1912 to 1918 after appointment by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV. He was a visionary civil engineer, administrator and statesman.
Visvesvaraya studied in Bangalore and earned a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of Madras. Later, he enrolled in College of Engineering, Pune (then College of Science at the University of Bombay) and graduated with a Diploma in Civil Engineering.
He is best known for his pioneering work in civil engineering, particularly in the construction of the Krishna Raja Sagara dam in Mandya district of Karnataka. This dam, one of the largest reservoirs in India at the time, helped convert nearby wasteland into fertile land and became the primary source of drinking water for many neighbouring cities.
In 1915, for his work in public welfare, he was knighted as a Knight Commander of the Order of the Indian Empire (KCIE) by King George. For his services to the Kingdom of Mysore and the Republic of India, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna by the Government of India in 1955. Interestingly, his birthday, 15th September, is celebrated every year as Engineer’s Day in India – to honour his contributions to the field of engineering.
Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy was an eminent educationist, physician and statesman. He served as the Chief Minister of West Bengal from 1948 till 1962 when he died. Born on 1 July 1882 in Bankipore, Patna, he was born to Prakash Chandra Roy, an excise inspector and a social worker Aghorkamini Devi.
For his extraordinary contributions in the field of medicine and his tireless efforts towards the development of West Bengal, Dr. Roy was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1961.
Every year, on 1st July, which is both Dr. Roy’s birth and death day, India celebrates National Doctor’s Day to remember his significant contributions to the country. His legacy continues to inspire future generations of doctors and public servants in India and around the world.
The contributions of these Bharat Ratna laureates serve as a testament to India’s scientific prowess. Their exceptional work in their respective fields continues to inspire generations of scientists, keeping India’s scientific legacy alive and thriving. Their work has not only pushed the boundaries of scientific knowledge but has also had a significant impact on India’s progress in the fields of science and technology.