The Department of Chemistry, CUSB, Gaya celebrated National Chemistry Day on the 164th birth anniversary of Acharya  Prafull Chandra Ray, the father of Chemistry in India.  The astounding contribution of Acharya PC Ray in advancement of Indian science was commemorated by organizing drawing-cum poster session and powerpoint-based oral presentations by students. The purpose of celebrating National Chemistry Day is to create awareness about the crucial role that chemistry plays in the daily life of common people. After lighting of the lamps and paying the floral tributes, the programme began with sharing of fond thoughts about Acharya PC Ray  by faculty members. Prof. Amiya Priyam said that Acharya Ji was an embodiment of supreme knowledge, virtues and values and a multi-faceted personality, a scientist, a teacher, a historian, an entrepreneur and a philanthropist who left an indelible imprint on India’s scientific and educational landscape. As professor of Chemistry in University of Calcutta, he laid a strong foundation of modern scientific teaching and research. He was a visionary ahead of his times and he emphasized the amalgamation of modern science with the ancient knowledge system of India.  

Prof. Atul Pratap Singh also paid tributes to Acharya Ji and said that he not just excelled as s scientist, his acumen as entrepreneur was also quite evident when he set up the first chemical manufacturing company named Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceutical Works limited. He further said that the achievements of Acharya PC Ray are awe-inspiring and he continues to be the guiding light and a source of inspiration for generations to come. Dr. Jagannath Roy highlighted his role as a historian and entrepreneur and said that efforts should be made to revive the Bengal Chemicals Company which was founded by Acharya Prafull Chandra Ray. Dr. Girish Chandra said that India has a rich scientific heritage from ancient times but it was never documented properly. Acharya PC Ray took painstaking efforts in reading the ancient scriptures written in Sanskrit and Pali and then compiled it in English and presented to the whole world. He published two volumes of the book, A History of Hindu Chemistry, which was a comprehensive compilation of the works done by the Chemists of ancient times, Rishi Agastya, Kanad, Vagbhatt, Nagarjuna and many others. The underlying scientific meaning of each shlokas were beautifully explained by Acharya Ji in the book. The richness and depth of our scientific heritage can be gauged from the fact that Zinc-amalgam battery was beautifully explained in the works of Rishi Agastya as early as 7000 years ago. Dr. Angad Kumar Singh, Dr. Mahender Khatravath and Dr. Mouni Roy also paid rich tributes and encouraged students to pursue studies with a purpose to provide scientific solutions to the problems faced by the society.  To realize the dream of Visksit Bharat, we must strive to achieve a synergy between the ancient wisdom and modern science. With this objective in mind, Dr. Mouni Roy coordinated the drawing-cum-poster session on the theme ‘Medicine and Metallurgy in Ancient and Medieval India’, in which the excitement and the bursts of creativity amongst students were quite perceptible.

The posters made by Khushi, Selina, Anurag, Sandhya, Amit and Shruti were adjudged to be one amongst the best posters. Later,  the speech-cum-presentations were organized on the theme, Contributions of APC Ray in the Advancement of Indian Science, which was well-coordinated by Prof. Atul Pratap Singh. The presentations made by Amit and Aayush were appreciated by all and accordingly awarded. The whole programme was well-anchored by Aayush Sharma. The faculty members Dr. Girish Chandra, Dr. Angad Kumar Singh and Dr. Mahender Khataravath also paid homage to APC ray and appreciated the enthusiasm and  passion with which students participated in large numbers. The programme ended with rendition of National Anthem by all the students, faculty members and staff of the Dept. of Chemistry.