Monday 19 February 2018

{Daily Katha:1458} Sister Nivedita: The Dedicated - Who gave her all to India – 32

यतो धर्म: ततो जय:

Nivedita for promotion of Science - 2

In the year 1901, the Royal Society of London stopped publishing Jagadish Chandra's scientific research papers and dissertations. He was shocked and too disheartened to fight. How would his work be known to the world? Nivedita came forward and told him that the only way to make his work known to the world and to ensure that others do not claim his research as their research was to publish books. Initially Dr. Bose felt too tired and unsure of it. Nivedita did not just suggest she offered herself for writing the books. From then till 1907, the famous three books that Jagadish Chandra published were not only edited by Nivedita, but also the language was mostly hers. The same is true for most of his other essays and later publications.

After the publication of those books, Nivedita also contributed essays and articles about Jagadish Chandra to many magazines and periodicals in India and abroad. She also lectured on 'Jagadish Chandra' at many places. Nivedita used to regard Jagadish Chandra as a 'national asset'. Keeping in view Nivedita's contribution to the scientific research work of Jagadish Chandra, Rabindranath Tagore said: 'In the day of his success, Jagadish gained an invaluable energizer and helper in Sister Nivedita, and in any record of his life's work her name must be given a place of honour.'

It was one of the earnest desires of Nivedita to establish a Vijnan Mandir (School of Science) by the Indians, funded by Indians themselves, where Indian students would get unfettered opportunity to pursue scientific studies. She often used to have discussions with Jagadish Chandra on this issue. That was why, when founding the 'Basu Vijnan Mandir' Jagadish Chandra paid his respectful homage to Nivedita by installing a plaque on the wall displaying a relief model of Nivedita engraved therein. Jagadish Chandra declared that it was Nivedita's dream that was actualized in his 'Vijnan Mandir.' It is known from reminiscences of Dr. Vashishwar Sen that, in accordance with Jagadish Chandra's wish, a small portion of Nivedita's Asthis (bone ashes )was buried under that relief plaque.   

As Nivedita saw aesthetics, art in everything Indian also she saw the science in it. Once Sri Surendranath Tagore who was follower of Brahmo Samaj asked Nivedita, 'If you have to adore an image, why that hideous Kali?' She replied, 'I adore no image. Kali is in me as She is in you. We cannot deny it. Why do you find that revolting'. For her Kali was the scientific concept of the Supreme Power deified, and stood for all functions of life.


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