Ramesh Chandra Majumdar (physicist)

Ramesh Chandra Majumdar
Born 1904
Died December 29, 1995(1995-12-29) (aged 90–91)
Nationality Indian
Alma mater Calcutta University, University of Jena
Scientific career
Fields Physics
Institutions Delhi University
Doctoral students Asoke Nath Mitra

Ramesh Chandra Majumdar was an Indian physicist who made contributions in several branches of physics, notably statistical mechanics and ionospheric physics. He played a key role in setting up the Department of Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Delhi, and also served as pro-vice-chancellor of the university.

Early life

Majumdar started his studies in physics at Calcutta University, in the laboratory of B. B. Ray, where he carried out an experiment that demonstrated the Raman effect in X-rays; this was published in Nature in 1931.[1] He then moved to Allahabad University, where he wrote a research paper with Meghnad Saha. For the rest of his career, he would concentrate on theoretical physics. With Saha's encouragement, he went abroad for his doctoral studies, and obtained his Ph.D. degree from the University of Jena.[2] During this period, he was a frequent visitor to Cambridge University, where his friend and collaborator Daulat Singh Kothari was working for his Ph.D. According to one source, Majumdar went to Cambridge, "arriving—it is said—on the doorstep of Lord Rutherford's home on a Sunday afternoon." [3]

Career

On his return to India, Majumdar worked at the Bose Institute in Calcutta [4][5] before joining the Physics Department (later renamed Department of Physics and Astrophysics) of the University of Delhi. Along with Daulat Singh Kothari, who was then head of the Department, he played an important role in building up the department by hiring key people to start new research groups.[6] In 1961, when Kothari was appointed chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), Majumdar took over as head of the department. During his tenure as head, the department was recognised as a Centre of Advanced Studies by the UGC. Majumdar later became pro-vice-chancellor of the university (1967–1969). Both as head and as pro-vice chancellor, he was responsible for new facilities being set up in the department.[7] He held a visiting assignment at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1948. According to Piara Singh Gill, who held Majumdar in high regard as representing "the best traditions of scholarship", the Tata Institute authorities wanted Majumdar to stay on in Bombay, but he chose to return to Delhi.[5] Majumdar was also a founding member of the Delhi University Teachers' Association.[8]

Honours and awards

  • Premchand Roychand Research Student, University of Calcutta [4]
  • Fellow, Indian National Science Academy (elected 1941) [9]
  • General secretary, The National Academy of Sciences, India (1953, 1954) [10]
  • Pro-vice-chancellor, University of Delhi

Books authored/edited by Ramesh Chandra Majumdar

  • Bosons: Presented to Satyendra Nath Bose on the Occasion of His Seventieth Birthday, edited by R. C. Majumdar, Hindustan Publishing, 1964

References

  1. ↑ Majumdar, R C (17 January 1931). "Part-Absorption Phenomena of X-Rays" (PDF). Nature. 127: 92. Retrieved 12 April 2017.
  2. ↑ Panchapakesan, N. (July 1994). "DS Kothari and Delhi University". Defence Science Journal. 44 (3): 199–202. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  3. ↑ Anderson, Robert S. (May 2010). Nucleus and Nation: Scientists, International Networks, and Power in India. University of Chicago Press. p. 44. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Appendix III" (PDF). Bose Institute. Retrieved 9 April 2017.
  5. 1 2 Gill, Piara Singh (1992). Up Against Odds: Autobiography of an Indian Scientist. Allied Publishers. p. 96. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  6. ↑ Panchapakesan, N. (10 January 2014). "LIVING LEGENDS IN INDIAN SCIENCE: Asoke Nath Mitra" (PDF). Current Science. 106 (1): 106–109. Retrieved 4 April 2017.
  7. ↑ Ivanov, Y. N. "Liquid Nitrogen Plant (Centre of Advanced Studies, Department of Physics and Astrphysics, University of Delhi)" (PDF). UNESDOC. UNESCO. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  8. ↑ Bali, Arun P. (1 January 1986). College Teachers: Challenges and Responses : a Case Study of Delhi University. Northern Book Centre. p. 156. Retrieved 11 April 2017.
  9. ↑ "Deceased Fellow: Professor R. C. Majumdar". Indian National Science Academy. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
  10. ↑ "Past General Secretaries". The National Academy of Science, India. Retrieved 4 April 2017.


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