The Mecca of Science...08 Oct 2014

Today was a red-letter day for me as I was able to visit the museum dedicated to one of the revered names of science in India. Acharya Jagdish Chandra Bose has always been a respected name in my family for his scientific genius. Some of his other aspects and the respect that he commanded amongst his famous peers was a story which was unraveled by me during the course of my visit to Bose Institute.
Located close to Sealdah station on APC Road, this would be missed by many until one is keen on seeing it; nevertheless the institution now a centre for higher research is offering courses only at MSc and PhD level. The first entry was unique. I was told that entry is only for researchers and that too it required the Director's permission because of the rarity of the objects kept in the museum. They must have taken me and my colleague Dr. Biswas as casual tourists. the moment I showed them this blog with all details mentioned every week, the person took us seriously and soon allowed us to get into it. He was also kind enough to request the curator to guide us throughout our visit. Photography was not allowed but the awe was enough to keep us through the visit excited and thrilled.

The section on the ground floor had collection of the instruments that he used; most of which were invented by him. They were primarily in 3 segments namely physics, chemistry and plant physiology. Before I proceed with the list of the instruments, let me mention one thing that with my limited knowledge of science, I would still consider them to be modern by today’s standard. One has to be there to believe that such inventions (infact truly original inventions) are possible.

The instruments on display were compound lever crescograph, Photosynthetic babbler, Response recorder, Socionograph, Oscillating plate phytograph, Strain cell (for qualifying an object as living / non-living), Optical sphygmograph, Oscillating recorder and Microwave apparatus.

On display were the enlarged photocopies of his Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) from Benares Hindu University, University of Calcutta, University of Panjab, University of Dacca and Allahabad University besides his original DSc from University of London (1896). We also see a Honorary LLD Certificate from Aberdeen university. The prized Certificate was the awarding of Knighthood. His name was followed by CIE, CSI, FRS denoting Commander of Indian Empire, Companion Star of India and Fellow Royal Society (obviously London).

There are several handwritten notes, some request letters for demonstration and some letters of thanks. There is an invitation from Royal Institute of Great Britain for Friday evening meeting and a thanks letter to Royal Institution dated 01-Feb-1899.

On another side of the same floor we have original slides used by him (1905), his hand calling bell, hand-made projector and a Stopwatch (make of Wittnaver). There are handwritten notes of many famous people addressed to him; important ones were one of George Bernard Shaw requesting him to go through 1 book (from the lot of 3 books which he wanted him to go through; just in case his luggage would become too heavy), that of M K Gandhi calling himself stupid for forgetting Dr. Bose’s birthday and that of few high ranked British officers including Governor General. Most of the letters address him as Sir Jagdish. Some of his books are also kept namely “Voice of life” and “Quest of Truth and destiny”.

There is a detailed description of the conference hall of Bose Institute where one gets to know that the ceiling  was designed by Nand Lal Ghosh (a painting probably) and we have embodiments of Sun God (which was personally designed by Dr. Bose). We also have portraits of 4 personalities who influenced Dr. Bose namely Michael Faraday,Hertz,Maxwell and Marconi.

The staircase to the floor above is adorned with many rare letters exchanged between him and personalities like Subash Bose (signed in the capacity of Mayor of Kolkata) and Tagore.

The top floor has certain items on display again including his personal belongings (dress materials, his wife’s sarees are also displayed). There is a kurta which is believed to have been worn by him the night before his death.

We also see some rare rare pictures enlarged of Lord Rayleigh. Amongst his famous students were Meghnad Saha (a genius himself) and J.C Ghosh(an institution in himself and the founder of IIT, Kharagpur). Patrick Geddes, who wrote his first biography also finds space in the room. Dr. Bose’s letter to Tagore on his renunciation of knighthood and congratulatory letter on the Nobel Prize is also displayed.

The best part of the first floor was a display section where the demonstration of microwaves is given by Dr. Bose in the presence of Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ray (another genius and a junior to Dr. Bose).

I came out feeling absolutely blessed and thrilled wondering as to who would come close to him genius-ness. But, as they say there are thousand suns and our lives gets over seeing one moving from the East to the West.