JAGGADISH Chandra Bose is the scientist I admire most. He was a rare combination of talent and courage. Professor Patrick Yeddes describes him as “the first Indian of modern times who has done distinguished work in science.”
He was not only a great scientist but a great patriot. At the peak of his glory, he had many offers from famous universities in Europe to come and teach there but he was not interested in money. He did not want to leave his motherland.
Jagadish Chandra Bose was born on November 30, 1858, in Bengal. His father was a magistrate, but he sent his son to an ordinary village school because he wanted him to mix with the common folk of the soil. Jagadish graduated from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta and later went to London for bis higher studies. On his return he was appointed professor of physics at the Presidency College. While teaching, he spent whatever time he could spare on research work. He discovered that electric-telegraphic signals could be sent through space without the use of wires. This discovery made him famous. The university of London conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Science. He was invited to give lectures in England, France and Germany. He also lectured in America. His next great discovery was about plants. He proved that there is no sharp dividing line between the nervous life of plants and animals. By detailed study of the Mimosa plant, he showed that plants are affected by light, touch, heat, gravity, manure poison. He invented a recorder to show the death agony of a plant. His discoveries are of great use in the field of agriculture and medicine. Doctor Jagadish became world famous and King George of England made him a Knight.
Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose was a great Patriot. He wanted to make India as famous, in the field of science, as the advanced countries of Europe. So, he established a Research Institute for the advance of science. Here scholars from all over the world live, study and work together. The Bose Research Institute is a lasting monument to his greatness. Twenty-five centuries ago, Scholars from all over the world came to the ancient places of learning at Taxila and Nalanda. The Bose Research Institute has revised that ancient splendor of India. Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose has shown to the world that science does not belong to the West nor to the East; it is international.