Science and society contribution of Ruchi Ram Sahni

Abstract

Professor Ruchi Ram Sahni (1863-1948) A great scientist, freedom fighter, social reformer, educationalist, entrepreneur of his time. Ruchi Ram Sahni was a multi talented personality. He was a pioneer in science, the first person from Punjab to establish a career in this area. He made history as the first Indian officer in the India Meteorological Department (1885-1887) and the first Indian professor of Science (Physics and Chemistry) at Government College, Lahore (1887- 1918). His pioneering work also extended to nuclear science, where he became India s first atomic scientist. Ruchi Ram Sahni uses Science Education to generate wealth and inspired thousands of people to setup their entrepreneurs based on Scientific and Technical knowledge. Upto know Ruchi Ram Sahni was either unknown or regarded as a scientist who popularizes science in vernacular language in Punjab. But His the contribution was even greater in term of historical perspective especially in the field of Socio-religious reform movement. He was a leading Brahmo Samajist in Punjab and fought against the Hindu orthodoxy and caste discrimination. Ruchi Ram Sahni always stood firmly in favour of women education and widow remarriage. Ruchi Ram Sahni actively participated in the freedom struggle movement and closely associated with Mahatma Gandhi, C.R. Dass, Madan Mohan Malviya etc. He was a great advocate of communal unity and harmony. He was against the separate electorate and spoke in support of joint electorates. His writing about the Guru ka Bagh Morcha, Gurudwara Reform Movement and Jallianwala Bagh Massacare is the eyewitness first hand documents of historical immense. newline