National Science Day is celebrated every year on 28 February to commemorate the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’. The Government of India designated 28 February as National Science Day in 1986. On this day, Sir C.V. Raman announced the discovery of the ‘Raman Effect’ for which he was awarded the Nobel Prize in 1930. On this occasion, theme-based science communication activities are carried out all over the country.
What is the Raman Effect?
When a beam of light traverses a dust-free, transparent sample of a chemical compound, a small fraction of the light emerges in directions other than that of the incident (incoming) beam. Most of this scattered light is of unchanged wavelength. A small part, however, has wavelengths different from that of the incident light; its presence is a result of the Raman effect. The phenomenon is named for physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman, who first published observations of the effect in 1928.
What happens on National Science Day?
Many institutions organize open house for their laboratories and appraise students about career opportunities available in a particular research laboratory/institution. Department of Science and Technology (DST) acts as a nodal agency to support, catalyze and coordinate celebration of the National Science Day throughout the country in scientific institutions, research laboratories and autonomous scientific institutions associated with the Department of Science and Technology. National Council for Science & Technology Communication (NCSTC), DST has supported various programmes countrywide by giving grants to its State S&T Councils & Departments for organization of lectures, quizzes, open houses, etc.
The DST instituted the National Awards for Science Popularization in 1987 to stimulate, encourage and recognize outstanding efforts in the area of science and technology communication and popularization as well as inculcate scientific temper among masses. These awards are presented every year on National Science Day along with the SERB Women Excellence Award by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), a statutory body of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) supporting basic research in frontier areas of science and engineering.
It provides grants to women scientists below 40 years of age who have received recognition from any one or more of the National Academies such as Young Scientist Medal, Young Associateship and so on. AWSAR award, an initiative of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India to recognize the dissemination of Indian research in Science, Technology & Innovation being pursued by PhD Scholars and Post-Doctoral Fellows in popular science writing format, is also presented on the day.
What is the theme for National Science Day 2022?
The theme for National Science Day 2022 is ‘Integrated Approach in S&T for Sustainable Future’. Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, launched the theme. He highlighted that a four-fold integrated approach in S&T for Sustainable Future will help us come out of our culture of working in silos to play a leading role in the global arena.
He added that the four fold approach would consist of integration of all the scientific departments which can work on theme based approach; extended scientific integration encompassing engineering; medical and other institutions; extra scientific integration involving identification of the needs of other ministries like jal shakti, railways etc; and extended science driven all inclusive approach integrating startups and industry.
Top edtech startups in India
An integrated approach in S&T (Science and Technology) is not possible without taking into account the startup ecosystem in a country like ours. Presenting the fastest-rising edtech and skill-based startups in India.
Splashgain
Splashgain Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is an edtech company building innovative platforms that target the education and corporate segments. It has built an award-winning platform Eklavvya that is backed by strong management and research teams having extensive knowledge and industry experience. Splashgain specialises in Remote Proctoring, AI Proctoring, Digital Assessments extensively.
Led by its flagship AI-driven assessment platform, Eklavvya, which automates objective, descriptive, oral, and video assessments powered with intelligent proctoring and analytics, the learning focussed start-up, has been steadily expanding its product suite to enhance the assessment and evaluation process. Many high stake academic exams, certification exams, recruitment exams of PSUs as well as Private Corporate entities including MNCs are conducted using Eklavvya platform. Splashgain aims to be a global reputed provider of innovative EdTech products that can effectively assist students and institutes thus adding value and simplifying assessment & learning processes. The company’s transformation projects are the integration of digital technology for Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Data Analytics to deliver great value to its customers.
Says Swapnil Dharmdhikari, Director & Founder, Splashgain Technology Solutions Pvt. Ltd., “Many children are inherently digitally native and have a high comfort factor with technology due to an early introduction to devices and the internet. Because of technology, education is becoming more flexible and accessible. When we introduce new ideas or subjects using tools they’ve already mastered, students feel confident in their ability to learn from new sources and may even feel empowered to help their classmates learn. At Splashgain, we believe in transforming our reputed educational institutions to become new-age digital education hubs that are in step with global trends and enable a future-ready learning environment. We aim to be a globally renowned provider of innovative IT products and solutions that effectively assist students and institutes, thus adding value and simplifying education processes.”
Birla Brainiacs
Birla Brainiacs, from the Birla Group, is a strong support system for tomorrow in the form of interactive content and mentor driven live classes. However, they also believe that students need to collaborate and experientially learn and not be dependent only on a virtual understanding of concepts, which brings in study kits, activity kits / experiment kits and other learning experiences right from the pre-primary grades, “the foundational stages”.
Designed through Preschool to Grade 10, the Birla Brainiacs ‘After School Program’ is also a part of Birla Brainiacs and aims to provide a balance between the school and guided self-study. They We offer a teaching–learning environment where students take control over ‘what’ to learn and ‘how’ to learn. They prepare teachers to help them in this voyage. The curriculum is in sync with the school curriculum and hones critical thinking, reasoning and memory through practice exercises, instructional videos, and a personalised learning dashboard that empowers learners to study at their own pace in and outside of the classroom. There is still a long way to go moving towards an AI guided path. In this process a very important point that the we have to keep in mind is to enhance student experience in every possible manner. With the spark of Augmented Reality and Virtual Reality tools and an endeavour to integrate collaboration in a virtual setting, EdTech can work wonders.
Hero Vired
Hero Vired is an EdTech company for professionals and higher education aspirants. The company is a startup venture of the Hero Group and offers career-relevant programmes, in partnership with world-class universities to make learners more competent and industry-ready for emerging jobs and professions under Industry 4.1. With short and long-term learning programmes, Hero Vired offers overall professional development via skill-based programmes and courses that are imperative to a learner’s growth in India’s rapidly evolving digital economy.
Programmes are offered in Data Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Game Design, Finance & FinTech, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Full-Stack Engineering with many more in the pipeline.
Says Akshay Munjal, Founder and CEO, Hero Vired, “The pandemic has catalysed the role of ed-tech in democratising quality education at scale. New initiatives introduced in the budget such as digital DESH e-portal for skilling, the expansion of PM’s eVIDYA scheme and a digital university have also provided an encouraging boost to the education sector. The future is promising with technology playing a pervasive role in strengthening engagement and redefining learning outcomes. Hero Vired continues to reimagine education through new-age programs curated in line with industry requirements. The inaugural year, 2021, was fantastic for us. We have clocked a phenomenal 30% month-on-month revenue growth and a monthly run rate of over ~5 Cr. As an employee-oriented, value-creating company, we announced a bi-annual appraisal cycle, offering attractive incentives for the revenue teams. These initiatives attracted talent from across the industry, expediting the company’s recruitment turnaround and significantly motivated employees to perform better and achieve more. Furthermore, for 2022, we will be focusing on strategic acquisitions, international expansion and people. To foster a culture of entrepreneurship among our employees, this year we have announced a first of its kind Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) for our faculty members. In addition, we are exploring partnerships with the world’s best educational institutions. Geographically, we are targeting expansion across Asia and Africa.”
