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Jagdish Chandra Bose
Jagdish Chandra Bose was a prominent Indian scientist born on November 30, 1858, in Mymensingh, Bengal (now in Bangladesh). He is celebrated as a pioneering figure in several scientific fields, including plant physiology and radio science. His contributions significantly advanced the scientific ecosystem in pre-independent India.
Role in Augmenting the Scientific Ecosystem:
- Foundational Research in Plant Physiology: Bose’s groundbreaking work in plant physiology established him as one of the first scientists to demonstrate that plants respond to external stimuli similarly to animals.
- He invented the crescograph, an instrument capable of measuring minute growth responses in plants, which allowed him to investigate how plants react to various stimuli such as light, heat, and chemicals.
- His experiments showed that plants could feel sensations, leading to the conclusion that they possess a form of sensitivity previously unrecognised.
- This work was documented in his influential books Response in the Living and Non-Living (1902) and The Nervous Mechanism of Plants (1926).
- Establishment of the Bose Institute: In 1917, Bose founded the Bose Institute in Calcutta (now Kolkata), which became one of India’s oldest and most prestigious research institutions.
- It was the first interdisciplinary research centre in Asia aimed at promoting scientific research across various fields without academic limitations.
- Contributions to Radio Science: Bose was a pioneer in the field of radio science. In 1895, he conducted a public demonstration where he transmitted electromagnetic waves wirelessly through walls and even through people’s bodies, which predated similar experiments by contemporaries like Guglielmo Marconi.
- He developed an improved coherer, a device used for detecting radio waves, and invented the Crystal Detector, which inspired early radio receivers.
- His work laid foundational principles for wireless communication technologies that would later evolve into modern radio systems.
Recognition and Legacy:
- He became the first Indian scientist to be elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1920 and received numerous accolades throughout his life.
- His legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists; institutions such as the J.C. Bose University of Science and Technology have been named in his honour.
- Additionally, his work has been acknowledged posthumously with various awards, including an IEEE Milestone in Electrical Engineering for his contributions to wireless communication.
