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New book explodes myth about cost of instruments used by Sir C V Raman

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8 years ago

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New book explodes myth about cost of instruments used by Sir C V Raman

~By Dr Hardev Singh Virk

It is a part of folklore about Indian science that Sir C V Raman made his Nobel-prize winning discovery in 1928 using instruments which cost just a few hundred rupees. A new book by a science historian has busted this myth.

Dr Rajinder Singh, a well-known historian of science, in his new book titled C.V. Raman’s Laboratory and Discovery of the Raman Effect, has brought to light certain hidden aspects of the Nobel laureate’s life and work. This is Singh’s third book on Raman.

The book provides full account of how Raman and his students created and perpetuated myth that Raman Effect was discovered by spending just 200 to 500 Indian Rupees. The myth was floated and publicized in national newspapers (The Bharat Joyti, National Herald, Indian News Chronicle) in 1940s and in the memoirs written by Raman’s students. It was projected that the facilities available at the Indian Association for Cultivation of Science (IACS), Calcutta, where Raman did his experimental work, were poor.New book explodes myth about cost of instruments used by Sir C V Raman

In newspaper interviews Raman himself spoke about poor facilities available for Indian scientists. The cost of equipment used by Raman, as mentioned in newspaper articles, ranged between Rs 200 and Rs 500. Raman’s biographer and one of his former students, A. Jayaraman, wrote that “the equipment which Raman employed for the discovery was very simple and amounted to a total cost of 500 Rupees at the time.”

The new book provides a detailed list of instruments used by Raman with their cost. Their total cost has been worked out to be Rupees 7630, excluding money spent on chemicals, which cost a handsome amount those days. It details the circumstances and instruments used during discovery of Raman Effect step by step on the basis of the diary of his co-scientist K S Krishnan from February 16, 1928 onwards. The chapter is a compendium of instruments such as mercury lamps, light filters, spectroscopes and other accessories required for Raman’s investigations leading to his discovery and the Nobel Prize.

Raman started his research activity in 1907 at IACS and it included areas as diverse as acoustics, optics, X-rays, and crystallography. His research team included the best talent available in India, as shown in the book. The library of IACS subscribed to 100 popular scientific journals from Europe. Thus the research facilities were not only adequate but almost ‘unlimited’, according to the author. It was Raman’s dream to make IACS an international centre of research in India.

“Raman had a huge team of 36 trained researchers; well-equipped laboratories and workshops, and his own journal. Thus under these circumstances, it is wrong to tell that Raman worked under ‘poor’ conditions,” the book has pointed out.

In the chapter titled “Instruments for the Discovery of Raman Effect”, Singh laments that “as far as India is concerned, the history of scientific instruments is relatively unknown. Even the instruments ‘made’ or bought by renowned physicists like C V Raman, M N Saha and S N Bose have not been properly preserved”.

The book points out that Raman was in the habit of complaining about poor conditions, especially after his visits to European laboratories. In a letter written to the Registrar of Calcutta University, he boasted: “From the experience I have gained in travelling in different parts of the world and visiting the great centres where experimental research in physics is carried on, I can assert without hesitation that the facilities available to the Palit Professor of Physics for the carrying on his duties at the College of Science are miserable in the extreme.”

Besides the instruments used by Raman, the book provides an account of Raman’s general activities as a faculty member, his opponents at the University of Calcutta and the international honours received by him as Palit Professor.

Asutosh Mookerjee, an educationist and judge who later became Vice Chancellor of Calcutta University, was a staunch supporter of the scientist. Raman was made Palit Professor of Physics even when he had no foreign research degree equivalent to D.Sc and that too on his own terms and conditions against the rules of the University. However, Raman proved his worth by winning a Nobel Prize in 1930.

Raman was provided “Ghose Travelling Fellowship” under which he could visit most of the research laboratories in Europe, USA and Canada. He wrote a proposal for expanding his research activities after such visits which was rejected by the university. He wanted to change rules for Ph.D. registration but the University Senate did not approve the idea. Raman fully participated in university administration and accepted assignments in various academic bodies of the university. He preferred Bengali as medium of instruction over Sanskrit.

The most interesting section in the book talks about Raman’s so-called opponents at the university. In one instance, Raman annoyed J C Bose by offering higher salary to his trustworthy mechanic to uproot him from the Bose Institute. Raman was highly critical of research work of J C Bose and did not spare a moment to criticise him even after his death. The other scientists of the Calcutta School who did not see eye to eye with Raman were M N Saha, B S Guha, U N Brahmachari and Ganesh Prasad. The author has revealed his acumen to bring to light the reasons for the conflict between the dons of Calcutta University and Raman.

Ultimately, all opposition to Raman fizzled out after he got international honours as Palit Professor. He was conferred the Fellowship of Royal Society London, Knighthood of British Empire, and the highest award in Physics, the Nobel Prize. I want to finish my review with brilliant but somewhat sarcastic remarks of Arnab Ray Choudhury: “Raman as a scientist possessed many extraordinary qualities – brilliance of mind, astute intuition, dogged determination, tenacity, an almost unbelievable capacity for hard work – certainly modesty was not one of his qualities”. (India Science Wire)

About the book

Author: Rajinder Singh, University of Oldenburg, Germany

Publisher: Shaker Verlag GmbH, Aachen, Germany

Year of Publication: 2018; Price: 21.90 Euro; Pages: xvi + 153.

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OnePlus India CEO Robin Liu steps down, shutdown rumours resurface

OnePlus India confirms business continuity after CEO Robin Liu’s resignation sparks shutdown rumours online.

Published

3 weeks ago

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March 26, 2026

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The resignation of Robin Liu as India CEO of OnePlus has triggered fresh speculation online about the company’s future, even as the firm has firmly denied any plans to shut down operations.

Liu will step down from his role effective March 31, 2026. His exit comes months after he publicly dismissed similar rumours about the company withdrawing from certain markets.

Google searches spike after leadership exit

Following news of Liu’s departure, search trends for terms like “OnePlus shutdown”, “OnePlus shutting down”, and “OnePlus India shutdown” saw a noticeable surge, indicating rising public concern.

However, OnePlus India clarified that there is no change in its business operations and dismissed the shutdown claims as misinformation.

In a public statement, Liu said the company is “operating as usual” and urged stakeholders to rely on official sources rather than unverified reports. He reiterated that claims about the company shutting down are false.

Company says operations remain unchanged

The company stated that Liu’s decision to step down was due to personal reasons and not linked to any strategic withdrawal or operational challenges in India.

OnePlus further emphasized that its India business continues normally, with no immediate changes expected in its strategy or market presence.

Restructuring within OPPO group

Industry observers suggest Liu’s exit may be part of a broader restructuring within the OPPO group, which owns OnePlus.

The restructuring is believed to focus on streamlining operations, reducing costs, and accelerating product development amid challenges such as rising component costs and supply constraints.

Reports also indicate that OnePlus experienced a decline in shipments in 2025, which may have contributed to internal changes.

Reports hint at global strategy shift

According to a report by 9to5Google, the company may scale back its presence in some global markets, including parts of Europe, as early as April 2026.

At the same time, OnePlus is reportedly planning to strengthen its focus on India and expand further into the mid-range smartphone segment.

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Oppo K14 5G launched in India with 7000mAh battery, starts at Rs 17,999

Oppo has launched the K14 5G in India with a 7000mAh battery, fast charging and durability features, starting at Rs 17,999.

Published

4 weeks ago

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March 20, 2026

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oppo K14 5G

Oppo has launched its latest mid-range smartphone, the K14 5G, in India, positioning it as an “endurance powerhouse” with a strong focus on battery life, smooth performance and long-term reliability.

The smartphone starts at Rs 17,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant, while the 6GB + 256GB and 8GB + 256GB models are priced at Rs 19,999 and Rs 21,999 respectively. It will be available for purchase starting March 20 via Flipkart and the company’s official online store. Buyers can also avail an instant discount of up to Rs 1,000 along with no-cost EMI options for up to three months.

Focus on battery life and endurance

A key highlight of the Oppo K14 5G is its 7000mAh battery, designed to support extended daily usage without frequent charging. The company claims the device can deliver up to 738.8 hours of standby time. It also supports long usage across activities such as voice calls, video streaming, navigation and messaging.

The device comes with 45W fast charging, which can charge the battery from 1 percent to 37 percent in around 30 minutes, with a full charge taking about 92 minutes. Oppo says the battery is engineered to maintain durability for up to five years. Reverse wired charging is also supported for added convenience.

Built for durability and everyday use

The smartphone is designed with durability in mind, featuring SGS 5-star certification and MIL-STD-810H military-grade testing. It has undergone multiple drop tests and transportation shock testing to ensure resistance against accidental falls and rough usage conditions.

The device also carries IP66, IP68 and IP69 ratings, offering protection against dust, water immersion and high-pressure water exposure. Additional features like water-repellent camera coating and glove and splash touch support further enhance usability in different environments.

Display and design

The Oppo K14 5G features a 6.75-inch display with a 120Hz refresh rate and brightness of up to 1125 nits in high brightness mode. It is available in three colour options — Icy Blue, Prism Violet and Prism White — with a matte finish and subtle reflective design elements.

Performance and cooling

Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chipset, the smartphone is designed to handle everyday tasks such as browsing, streaming and multitasking efficiently. It runs on ColorOS 15, which includes system optimisation features aimed at maintaining smooth performance over time.

To manage heat during extended usage, the device includes a vapor chamber cooling system with graphite layers for improved thermal management. This helps maintain stable performance during gaming and heavy usage.

Camera and AI features

The smartphone is equipped with a 50MP main camera, supported by a 2MP monochrome sensor, along with an 8MP front camera. It offers AI-powered features such as portrait retouching, AI eraser, AI clarity enhancement and dual-view video recording.

These tools are designed to improve image quality, assist in editing and enhance overall photography experience for users.

Availability and after-sales support

The Oppo K14 5G will be available starting March 20 with launch offers including discounts and EMI options. The company is also offering a 30-day inspection and replacement policy in case of manufacturing defects, supported by its nationwide service network.

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OnePlus Freedom Sale 2026 brings discounts on 15, 15R, 13, Nord 5 and tablets

OnePlus Freedom Sale 2026 begins Jan 16 with discounts on phones, tablets, and audio products across online and offline stores.

Published

3 months ago

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January 13, 2026

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OnePlus has announced its Freedom Sale, offering discounts on smartphones, tablets, and audio products across online and offline platforms. The deals include the recently launched OnePlus 15 series, Nord lineup, Buds audio devices, and other gadgets.

When and where to shop

The OnePlus Freedom Sale starts on Jan. 16 and will run both online and offline. Shoppers can purchase smartphones through OnePlus.in, OnePlus Experience Stores, Amazon, as well as offline retailers including Croma, Reliance Digital, Vijay Sales, and others. Tablets are available on Flipkart during the sale period.

Discounts on OnePlus smartphones

  • OnePlus 15: Launched at Rs 72,999, buyers can get an instant Rs 4,000 discount, lowering the effective price to Rs 68,999. Additional benefits include six months of no-cost EMI and a bundled OnePlus Nord Buds 3.
  • OnePlus 13: Originally priced at Rs 69,999, the phone receives an Rs 8,000 price drop, plus a bank discount of Rs 4,000, bringing the price down to Rs 57,999.
  • OnePlus 15R: Listed at Rs 47,999, buyers can avail Rs 3,000 off until Jan 26. After the date, the effective price is Rs 45,999.
  • OnePlus 13R: Launched at Rs 42,999, this device gets up to Rs 6,000 price cut and an additional Rs 1,000 bank discount.

Discounts on OnePlus tablets

  • OnePlus Pad 2: Rs 2,000 instant bank discount reduces the price to Rs 34,999.
  • OnePlus Pad 3: Eligible for a Rs 3,000 instant discount, making the price Rs 44,999. Purchases until Jan 26 include a free Stylo 2 stylus.
  • OnePlus Pad Go 2: Rs 1,000 price drop plus Rs 2,000 bank discount, now Rs 23,999.
  • OnePlus Pad Go: Price reduced to Rs 13,999 after Rs 3,000 cut and Rs 1,000 bank discount.
  • OnePlus Pad Lite: Available for Rs 11,999 after a Rs 2,000 price drop and Rs 2,000 bank discount.

Audio devices on offer

  • OnePlus Buds 4: Rs 700 price cut with Rs 300 bank discount, bringing the effective price to Rs 4,999.
  • OnePlus Buds Pro 3: Now Rs 9,999 after Rs 1,000 price drop and Rs 1,000 bank discount. No-cost EMI options are available for both Buds 4 and Buds Pro 3.

Additional discounts are also applicable to the Nord Buds series — including Nord Buds 3, Nord Buds 3 Pro, and Nord Buds 3R — and neckband devices such as Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC and Bullets Wireless Z3.

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