PM Modi gifts Chancellor Merkel reproductions of CV Raman's papers

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in Germany for the second leg of his three-nation tour, on Tuesday gifted the Federal Republic's Chancellor Angela Merkel reproductions of Nobel Laureate Sir CV Raman's manuscripts and papers.

Chancellor Merkel herself holds a doctorate in quantum chemistry.

Prime Minister Modi, via a series of tweets, shared the information.

"Presented Chancellor Angela Merkel with some manuscripts and papers by Sir C V Raman."

"Sir CV Raman's work finds extensive application in diverse areas, even quantum chemistry - in which Chancellor Merkel holds a doctorate."

"Sir CV Raman had a deep connection with Germany. He was inspired to pursue science as a career by famous German scientist von Helmholtz."

"Terms Raman Effect and Raman Spectrum themselves were coined in 1928 by a German physics professor Dr Peter Pringsheim."

"Sir CV Raman, who could read German, also invited leading German scientists of the time to Calcutta University and IISc, Bangalore."

Winner of the 1930 Nobel Prize for Physics, Sir CV Raman had a strong connection with Germany. He is said to have been inspired to pursue science as a career by 19th century German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz, whom he compared to Isaac Newton.

Later, he was nominated for the Nobel Prize by German physician Richard Pfeiffer and German physicist Johannes Stark, while the terms 'Raman Effect' and 'Raman Spectrum' were coined in 1928 by German physics professor Dr Peter Pringsheim.

After Sir CV Raman was appointed as the director of the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, he invited several German scientists, including future Nobel Laureates George von Hevesy and Max Born.