On February 28, India celebrates National Science Day, honoring the brilliant work of Sir CV Raman. He discovered the Raman Effect, a breakthrough that helps scientists explore molecular structures by observing their interaction with light. This achievement not only showcased India’s potential in science but also earned the nation its first Nobel Prize in the field.
Recently, I attended the unveiling of Sir CV Raman’s bust at Shimane University in Japan, making it the first university there to honor an Indian scientist in this way. This event highlighted the global impact of Raman’s discovery, especially at Shimane’s Centre for Raman Spectroscopy.
A lot has happened since the invention of the Raman Spectroscope nearly a century ago. Today, we need to ask ourselves: Are we still innovating in ways that make India proud?
India has made significant strides over the years, emerging as a vibrant economy with strong human resources. We’ve built our technological base primarily through our labs. To progress further, we need to create our own technologies and products that meet global standards.
Take a look at sectors like atomic energy and missile technology. India developed its capabilities from scratch, creating world-class systems when necessary. However, when technology is readily available for purchase, we tend to adopt rather than innovate. By the time we catch up with and absorb one wave of technology, the creators have already advanced further.
This National Science Day isn’t just a celebration; it’s a chance to commit to becoming a nation of builders. Transformation must start in our schools, where too many children currently focus solely on exam scores. This obsession stifles creativity, pushing aside activities like sports, music, and hands-on experiments. We must redefine what it means to excel academically without sacrificing imagination.
Imagine a school system where universities recognize not just test scores but also innovation—like a prototype built or a problem solved. Tinkerer labs and maker spaces should be as integral to learning as traditional subjects. Educators must encourage students to think creatively, producing prototypes instead of merely memorizing facts. When students see that their ability to build is valued, they’ll be inspired to create even more.
Globally, many leading universities are shifting their admission processes to include creativity and practical accomplishments. Students now submit portfolios showcasing their projects, broadening the definition of merit beyond exams.
What if India’s leading educational institutions adopted a similar approach? We could trigger a transformation that allows students to rediscover the joy of experimenting. Here at IIT Hyderabad, we’re already moving toward product-driven degrees, where innovation can count as a thesis.
We need to introspect how we reward building within academic frameworks. If a doctoral candidate develops a transformative product, should that not be valued alongside traditional research papers? Innovations like deployable medical devices should also carry weight in awarding degrees.
The legacy of Raman’s work extends through generations, fundamentally changing fields like physics and chemistry. For India to evolve into a truly developed nation, we must value builders just as much as top scorers. When students view creating solutions and developing products as equally important, education will shift from mere memorization to meaningful innovation.
This National Science Day prompts us to embrace a future where we not only excel in knowledge but also apply it to create technologies for our nation. Nurturing a generation that leads rather than follows will shape India’s journey toward becoming a developed country.
As part of our commitment, IIT Hyderabad has introduced a unique “Builders Quota” for admitting students into its BTech program based on their building abilities. After admission, these students can take a semester off to demonstrate their skills and earn credits, linking education more closely to real-world applications.
Let’s use this National Science Day to reaffirm our dedication to reimagining education so that we can truly become a nation of builders.
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National Science Day,IIIT Hyderabad,CV Raman
