Chandigarh: 26th February, 2024:- The Physics Department at Punjab Engineering College (PEC), Chandigarh, successfully celebrated National Science Day, sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology renewable-energy Chandigarh, at the PEC Auditorium. The event was graced by eminent personalities, including Prof. P.K. Ahluwalia, President of the Indian Association for Physics Teachers; Prof. Arun Grover; Prof. Vasundhara Singh; Dean of Faculty Affairs; Prof. Sanjeev Kumar, Head Physics Department along with other faculty members, research scholars, and students.

National Science Day, observed annually on 28th February across India, holds special significance as it commemorates the birthday of the renowned Physics Nobel Laureate, Shri Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman. The celebration aimed to honor his groundbreaking discovery of inelastic scattering of light by molecules, leaving an indelible mark on the scientific community.

The event commenced with an interactive session featuring Prof. A.K. Ahluwalia, followed by engaging fun quizzes and a captivating demonstration highlighting the beauty of Ray optics. Prof. Ahluwalia delivered an intriguing popular science lecture on the "Star Performer of Big Science: Cyclotron" by Prof. P.K. Ahluwalia." He shared insights into the history of cyclotrons in Asia, particularly the development of the Cyclotron in India, specifically the Chandigarh Rochester Cyclotron established at Punjab University, Chandigarh. Prof. Ahluwalia emphasized its significance in the field of basic nuclear physics, medical applications in cancer treatment, industrial uses, and the groundbreaking Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN.

The celebration served as a vibrant platform to popularize science and technology, fostering a spirit of curiosity and innovation among the academic community. The collective enthusiasm exhibited by all participants contributed to making the event truly memorable.

The event showcased PEC's commitment to the dissemination of science and technology, a tradition upheld for several decades. The proposed science familiarization initiative, open to all institute students, further demonstrates PEC's dedication to knowledge dissemination and inspiring the next generation of scientists and innovators. The Department of Physics would like to acknowledge the funds from the Department of Science and Technology renewable-energy Chandigarh for the smooth conduct of the National Science Day Celebrations.