“I am the master of my failure…If I never fail, how will I ever learn?” – C.V. Raman.

Science as we know it, has been vital to human civilization for consistent progress. From the earth being believed to be flat, then round, now spheroid and presently having GPS systems and google maps laying before us nook and corners of the earth, science has been man’s constant companion. However, the process of advancement has been a very gradual one. Each discovery, invention or theory took years of research and acted as a step forward to better understand the universe, matter and the vast enigma associated with it. The contribution of C.V. Raman to this indispensable study makes him a man worth remembering and an inspirational figure for all.

Descending from a humble Hindu family, Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman was the second of the eight children his parents had. His father was a teacher of mathematics and physics, and later got a job as a lecturer and hence they moved to Visakhapatnam. Won’t be wrong to say it ran in the genes, now would it? Raman was greatly interested in Science from a very young age and started to borrow books on science from his father’s college library. In 1903, aged just 14, Raman set off to Madras, and began his bachelor’s degree at Presidency College. He completed his degree in 1904, winning medals in physics. Judging his intellect, his British lecturers encouraged him to study for a master’s degree in the United Kingdom. However, he was advised against it by his doctor as his heath was not strong enough to cope up with England’s harsh climate.

Thus, he stayed in India and continued his research. In the summer of 1921, when on the deck of a ship, he looked at the beautiful blue colour of the Mediterranean Sea and went onto discover that sea scatters light. His work on light and its behaviour, very commonly known as the Raman effect was one of his greatest achievements. He was knighted in 1929.

Being the first physicist in Asia to receive a Nobel Prize for Physics in 1930, he created a spot for India in the spectrum of scientific achievements of the world. It holds great significance also because, at a time when Indians were considered inferior, uncivilised, barbaric and looked down upon by the British imperialists, C.V. Raman proved the metal of India’s brainpower and acuteness.

Gordon B. Hinckley once stated, “You can’t build a great building on a weak foundation. You must have a solid foundation if you’re going to have a strong superstructure.” The real strength of a tree is determined by the reach of its roots. The right foundation often leads to the creation of great success stories. Today, we bring you a musical dedication, saluting some great achievers from IIT Delhi.

As one of the most premier institutes in India, IIT Delhi has one of the most successful networks of its alumni who run and manage companies with a cumulative value of over USD 100 Billion. With over 15 plus out of the 30 plus unicorns founded by IIT Delhi Alumni and over 30 million employment opportunities generated, it continues to produce some of the best entrepreneurs in the world.

Recently, on the launch of IIT Delhi’s Endowment Fund, a song was dedicated to it, by the alumni of IIT Delhi. Composed and sung by Vikram Gupta and produced by the IvyCap Ventures Advisors Private Limited, the lyrics are penned by Ashish Tripathi.

The Talented Indian Community celebrates the efforts, story and success of every IITian through this song.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” Dr. Ramana Rao epitomizes this virtue of selfless service.

Born in Hyderabad in 1951, Dr. Rao started his free village clinic on the very next day of his graduation on 15th August 1973. The clinic is situated in T.Begur, which is 35 km from Bangalore on the Bangalore-Pune National Highway. Since then every Sunday, he has been serving his patients for free, along with providing free meals to those who travel long distances to get treated.

Accompanied by his wife, his two sons (who are also doctors) and dozen of volunteers from the villages, he has treated numerous people for free. From primary health checkups of oral health, skin, eye care to expensive medicines, injections and nebulisation are given free of cost to patients. Besides, free cataract surgery is also done at the clinic.

His belief that everyone has the right to live with dignity, ensured him to create this drastic difference in people’s lives. Through the Raj Prakash Trust, “he works towards providing free medical treatment for thousands of rural communities who cannot afford the treatment.”

A Padma Shri recipient, Dr. Rao is also conferred with Dr. Abdul Kalam National Award among many others. As an exemplary epitome of selfless service, he is a true inspiration to us all.

The historic mission of ISRO, Chandrayaan-2 is India’s second moon mission to explore the unchartered territory of Lunar south pole and was launched on India’s most powerful rocket GSLV-Mk0III-M1 from Sriharikota.

The team of incredible scientists and engineers at ISRO are the backbone of India’s space programme. We proudly present you the “Rocket Women” of India, who lead this crucial mission, making Chandrayaan 2 as ISRO’s first-ever space mission to be headed by women. 

Project Director of Chandrayaan 2 Moon Mission, Muthayya Vanitha, is also known as the “Rocket Woman” of India. She has experience of working on the Cartosat-1, Oceansat-2 and Megha-Tropiques missions. She also acted as the Deputy Director of the Mars Mission, Mangalyaan. In 2006, She was awarded as the best woman scientist. On the other hand, Ritu Karidhal, the Mission Director for Chandrayaan 2 Moon Mission, was also a part of India’s first interplanetary mission, Mangalyaan. In 2007, Karidhal received an award as ISRO Young Scientist by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. These two women were not alone in the Chandrayaan-2 team, which comprised of 30% women.

India is proud of every single scientist, who worked on the Chandrayaan-2 mission.

Ravish Kumar is named for the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay Award, which is Asia’s premier prize and the highest honour that celebrates the greatness of spirit and transformative leadership in Asia, for his “unfaltering commitment to a professional, ethical journalism of the highest standards”, where he “deals with real-life, under-reported problems of ordinary people”.

Born in Motihari, Bihar in 1974, Ravish is an Indian TV anchor, writer, journalist and media personality. He is a Managing editor at NDTV India and hosts several programs including the channel’s flagship weekday show Prime Time, Hum Log and Ravish Ki Report. He is the sixth Indian journalist to receive the Ramon Magsaysay Award for outstanding contribution to journalism. As an author he has published books named “The Free Voice – On Democracy, Culture and The Nation”, “Ishq Mein Shahar Hona”, “Dekhate Rahiye” and “Ravishpanti”.

He keeps raising his voice in support of various social causes through his social media handles. We share some of his thoughts.

Some dedications by his fans.