Jharkhand Eyes University Named After “Father of Wireless” JC Bose in Giridih

Giridih/Ranchi: Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) has urged the Jharkhand government to build a university in the name of Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose, the noted Bengali scientist. The news has brought a smile on the face of millions of his admirers across the world.  JMM’s Giridih unit has suggested that a university should be named after Bose in Giridih, in order to honour the great scientist who invented the crescograph machine -a device that measures the growth of plants, as Bose, chose to make Giridih his karmabhoomi (place of work) and put the district on the world map.

The proposal was announced in the presence of Shibu Soren, the president of JMM on the occasion was 47th Foundation Day of JMM, in Giridih district.

Bose, who was born in 1858 in Munshiganj, Bengal Presidency that is now in Bangladesh, was a polymath, physicist, biologist, biophysicist, botanist and archaeologist. He is best remembered for his work on remote wireless signaling and many believe that he is the original inventor of the wireless, but because he did not believe in patenting his research, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi is credited with the invention of the wireless radio.

After obtaining his early education in Kolkata, Bose went to Christ’s College, Cambridge, where his bust adorns the college’s courtyard even today. After returning to India and working in Kolkata, where he even taught at the Presidency College,  Bose shifted base to Giridih where he breathed his last on 23 November 1937 at the age of 79. His residence in Barganda has been turned into a Science Centre, which is almost defunct now.

On the scientist death anniversary last year Praveen Kaswan, an Indian Forest Officer had shared pictures of Bose and wrote about his accomplishments. He had tweeted, “On May 10, 1901, at the jam-packed hall of Royal Society, London he demonstrated how plants have life with the crescograph. He invented the telegram. Proved eastern mind was indeed capable of scientific achievements. Remembering JC Bose, first modern scientist of India on his death anniversary.”

On March 3, the first budget of Hemant Soren led Jharkhand government made it clear that education one of its prime objectives. “Education is among the top priorities of JMM government, we believe our proposal to open a university in the name of Sir JC Bose will be accepted. Yes, a  university in the name of Bose will be a reality soon,” JMM’s Giridih District President Sanjay Singh told eNewsroom.

Bose was a great teacher and researcher too. Some of his famous students who influenced the scientific world both in the pre and post independence era are – Prof SN Bose, Prof Meghnad Saha, Prof Prasad Chandra, Prof S K Mitra, Prof Mahalnobis  and Prof DM Basu.

Giridih, currently has only one place named after the genius  – Sir JC Bose Girl High School, which is adjacent to his residence.

If the government accepts the proposal it will be the second university named after Bose in the country. The Haryana government has established a JC Bose Science and Technology University in 1969 in Faridabad.

Till the 1970s, Giridih has been the place of work for many Bengali legends including Rabindra Nath Tagore, Sir JC Bose, PC Mahalonabis, Satyajit Ray, Aruna Asaf Ali among others.

Along with the university, JMM Giridih unit has also asked for a medical college to be built in the district.