Author: G.V. Pavan Kumar

Namaste, Hola & Welcome from G.V. Pavan Kumar. I am a Professor of Physics at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune, India. My research interests are : (1) Optics & Soft Matter: Optically Induced Forces – Assembly, Dynamics & Function; (2) History and Philosophy of Science – Ideas in Physical Sciences. I am interested in the historical and philosophical evolution of ideas and tools in the physical sciences and technology. I research the intellectual history of past scientists, innovators, and people driven by curiosity, and I write about them from an Indian and Asian perspective. My motivation is to humanize science. In the same spirit, I write and host my podcast Pratidhvani – Humanizing Science.

10 things I learnt from Chandrayan 3

On 23rd Aug 2023, ISRO made history by landing a spacecraft close to the south pole of the moon. For a long time in India, I have not seen such an enthusiasm for science and technology, and it was indeed heartening to experience this. In reference to the proceedings in recent times, below are some brief lessons I learnt :

  1. For space programs, strong foundations in computation coupled with deep understanding of computer-assisted hardware is vital. Traditionally, India had good strength in computational aspect, but this mission showcased its capability in computer-assisted hardware and manipulation. As expected, ISRO is leading the way, and it is important to emulate this software-hardware coherence in other sectors.
  2. Science and Technology need not be a zero-sum game. Collectively, they have a lot to offer to the Indian society. The mission shows how investing in scientific activities can positively influence a society. In an essence, collective scientific endeavors like Chandrayaan strengthens our democracy.
  3. ISRO’s ability to learn from past failure is commendable. It showcased how scientific experiments should be approached, and how missions should be accomplished.
  4. There was a significant proportion and contribution of women in Chandrayaan 3.
  5. A reasonable and sustained research-budget given to a dedicated set of people can, sometimes, achieve remarkable things. That should not be a reason to limit funding towards research. This should encourage our society to further support scientific research.
  6. Some parts of social media and online news portals played a better role in broadcasting and discussing the mission than Indian TV channels.
  7. Some news papers (I read Indian Express (in print) and non-paywalled parts of Hindu online) did a good job of explaining many scientific concepts.
  8. Global south has tremendous scientific potential. The Indian sub-continent must take up collective scientific endeavors to have a greater impact in the region. India can lead the way.
  9. Classical physics and Engineering Science is alive and kicking. There is still a lot to explore and understand nature at ‘macro’ scale. It also highlights the importance of strong foundations in science and mathematics.
  10. At the heart of all these things is human curiosity and rationality. Nurturing this curiosity and rationality is our collective responsibility. It not only offers transient joy, but also orients our collective action to make this world a better place. After all, it resonates with वसुधैव कुटुम्बकम (“The World Is One Family“).

Conversation with E Arunan

E Arunan is a physical chemist and Professor at Department of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

webpage : https://ipc.iisc.ac.in/~ea/arunan_cv_December2020.html

twitter : https://twitter.com/earunan?lang=en

In this episode (2 hour+) we discussed his biography, learning science in Tamil, his transition from Madurai to Madras to Delhi to Kansas and finally to IISc Bangalore. We discuss about his work including microwave spectroscopy, hydrogen bonding, Indian academia, and Tamil poetry and its contemporary relevance…

Listen as we humanize science.

our youtube channel : https://www.youtube.com/@g.v.pavankumarlab2908/playlists

episode on youtube (audio) :

spotify :

apple podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-17-conversation-with-e-arunan-the-physical-chemist/id1687861465?i=1000625320693

google podcast https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9lMTcyMGUwYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw/episode/YWFhNGNiYTgtMjgxOS00OTUwLThkNjctNDUxYWIzNmY2NmYz?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjozbyVyfGAAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ

References :

Arunan, E. “Arunan’s Lab Webpage.” Accessed August 19, 2023. https://ipc.iisc.ac.in/~ea/.

earunan. “Arunan’s Blogpage,” January 2, 2022. https://earunan.org/.

“Indian Institute of Science.” Accessed August 19, 2023. https://iisc.ac.in/events/remembering-prof-vasant-natarajan-1965-2021/.

“Inorganic and Physical Chemistry.” Accessed August 19, 2023. https://ipc.iisc.ac.in/.

“The American College | Madurai.” Accessed August 19, 2023. https://americancollege.edu.in/.

Arunan, Elangannan, Gautam R. Desiraju, Roger A. Klein, Joanna Sadlej, Steve Scheiner, Ibon Alkorta, David C. Clary, et al. “Definition of the hydrogen bond (IUPAC Recommendations 2011).” Pure and Applied Chemistry 83, no. 8 (July 8, 2011): 1637–41. https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-10-01-02.

“Current Science.” Accessed August 19, 2023. https://www.currentscience.ac.in/show.author.php?id=3002.

driftonblog. “Ode to My Mozart in Physics.” Driving and Drifting… (blog), December 29, 2021. https://driftonblog.wordpress.com/2021/12/29/ode-to-my-mozart-in-physics/.

“EA>Research.” Accessed August 19, 2023. https://ipc.iisc.ac.in/~ea/research.html.

Episode 08 : Gripping History of Laser Invention, 2023. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=atjcoM8UANs.

“Gautam Radhakrishna Desiraju.” In Wikipedia, July 12, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gautam_Radhakrishna_Desiraju&oldid=1164957848.

“Kural.” In Wikipedia, August 12, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Kural&oldid=1169933209.

“Pankaj Mandal’s Webpage – Pankaj Was One of the PhD Students of Arunan.” Accessed August 19, 2023. https://sites.google.com/view/iiser-pankaj-mandal/team.

Active Collective Motion – a video

References :

“Active Matter.” Accessed August 20, 2023. https://www.nature.com/collections/hvczfmjfzl.

apratim. “IISER-Pune Soft Matter Groups.” Accessed August 20, 2023. https://apratimchatterji.wixsite.com/apratim/iiser-pune-soft-matter-groups.

Marchetti, M. C., J.-F. Joanny, S. Ramaswamy, T. B. Liverpool, J. Prost, Madan Rao, and R. Aditi Simha. “Soft Active Matter.” arXiv, July 12, 2012. https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.1207.2929.

“Members | Cytoskeleton and Cell Shape (CyCelS) Lab.” Accessed August 20, 2023. http://www3.iiserpune.ac.in/~cathale/?page_id=27.

Ramaswamy, Sriram. “The Mechanics and Statistics of Active Matter.” Annual Review of Condensed Matter Physics 1, no. 1 (2010): 323–45. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-conmatphys-070909-104101.

New episode – audio-visual podcast – An Indian Prof’s 15 lessons

I share 15 lessons that I have learnt as an Indian Professor, academic scientist, teacher and a citizen…

This is an audio-visual episode. The video is available on below

audio here :

google podcast : https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9lMTcyMGUwYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw/episode/MjVmN2NkMmYtNzQ0ZC00ZmYzLWExMmUtZDdkMmI1OTkxYTI4?sa=X&ved=0CAUQkfYCahcKEwjwiabayOGAAxUAAAAAHQAAAAAQAQ

apple podcast : https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/id1687861465

References :


Kumar, G. V. Pavan. “12 Years as a Faculty Member in India – 12 Lessons.” Scatterings (blog), May 25, 2022. https://backscattering.wordpress.com/2022/05/25/12-years-as-a-faculty-in-india-12-lessons/.

“A Case for Compassionate Rationality.” Scatterings (blog), July 1, 2023. https://backscattering.wordpress.com/2023/07/01/a-case-for-compassionate-rationality/.

“New Episode : Science, Rationality and Compassion.” Scatterings (blog), May 27, 2023. https://backscattering.wordpress.com/2023/05/27/new-episode-science-rationality-and-compassion/.Pinker, Steven. “Rationality.” Accessed May 26, 2023. https://www.google.co.in/books/edition/Rationality/HT0NEAAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover.

Weinberg, Steven. “Four Golden Lessons.” Nature 426, no. 6965 (November 2003): 389–389. https://doi.org/10.1038/426389a.

Conversation with Ranjini Bandyopadhyay

Ranjini is a experimental soft condensed matter physicist. She is a Professor at Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru.

Ranjini’s lab webpage : https://ranjinibandyopadhy.wixsite.com/complexfluids

She and her lab have been working on fascinating experiments on soft squishy matter including : Structure-dynamics correlations in colloidal suspensions; Mixed clay dispersions; Active colloids (synthesis and the study of active glasses); Interfacial instabilities and many other things.

In this episode we explore her biography, her ability to design and develop experiments, the difference between impact of research and impact factor of research, the process of articulation, importance of soft matter science and its relevance to India.

Listen…as we humanize science…

youtube (audio) :

spotify :

apple podcast :

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-15-conversation-with-ranjini-bandyopadhyay-the/id1687861465?i=1000623858813

google podcast :

https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy9lMTcyMGUwYy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw

References :

Twitter. “Ranjini Bandyopadhyay (@RanjiniRRI) / Twitter,” July 20, 2023. https://twitter.com/RanjiniRRI.

“Ajay K. Sood.” In Wikipedia, July 19, 2023. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ajay_K._Sood&oldid=1166154434.

“Ajay Sood’s Home Page.” Accessed July 23, 2023. http://www.physics.iisc.ernet.in/~asood/.

Basak, Rajib, and Ranjini Bandyopadhyay. “Encapsulation of Hydrophobic Drugs in Pluronic F127 Micelles: Effects of Drug Hydrophobicity, Solution Temperature, and PH.” Langmuir 29, no. 13 (April 2, 2013): 4350–56. https://doi.org/10.1021/la304836e.

complexfluids. “Group Members and Recent Lab News.” Accessed July 23, 2023. https://ranjinibandyopadhy.wixsite.com/complexfluids/page3.

complexfluids. “Ranjini Bandyopadhyay.” Accessed July 23, 2023. https://ranjinibandyopadhy.wixsite.com/complexfluids.

“Durian Group – Home.” Accessed July 23, 2023. https://www.physics.upenn.edu/duriangroup/.

Mukherjee, Siddhartha. The Emperor of All Maladies. HarperCollins UK, 2011.

Nagel, Sidney R. “Experimental Soft-Matter Science.” Reviews of Modern Physics 89, no. 2 (April 12, 2017): 025002. https://doi.org/10.1103/RevModPhys.89.025002.

Phillips, Rob, and Stephen R. Quake. “The Biological Frontier of Physics.” Physics Today 59, no. 5 (May 2006): 38–43. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2216960.

Born before Oppenheimer: molecular quantum mechanics

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