C. N. R. Rao
Born 30 June 1934 ยท Karnataka
Developed fundamental understanding of transition metal oxides in solid-state chemistry.
๐ Add birthday reminderChintamani Nagesa Ramachandra Rao is an Indian chemist who has worked mainly in solid-state and structural chemistry. He has honorary doctorates from 86 universities from around the world and has authored around 1,800 research publications and 58 books. He is described as a scientist who had won all possible awards in his field except the Nobel Prize.
โจ A detail that surprised us
C.N.R. Rao holds honorary doctorates from 86 universities worldwide, an unusual achievement for any scientist.
1. ๐ In 1951, at just 17, C.N.R. Rao earned his BSc from Mysore University, a prodigy who skipped elementary school and was home-tutored by his mother in Bangalore.
2. By 1959, he became the youngest lecturer at the Indian Institute of Science, launching a career that would redefine solid-state chemistry in India.
3. In 1984, Rao was appointed director of IISc Bangalore, where he served a decade steering the institute through a transformative era in scientific research.
4. ๐ Between 1985 and 2014, he twice chaired the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, influencing science policy during pivotal years of Indiaโs technological growth.
5. Rao authored over 1,800 research papers and 58 books, including seminal works on ultraviolet and infrared spectroscopy that established him as a global authority in material chemistry.
6. ๐ In 2013, he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, becoming only the third scientist after C.V. Raman and A.P.J. Abdul Kalam to receive Indiaโs highest civilian honor.
7. โ What scientific mysteries in solid-state chemistry did Rao uncover that earned him every major award but eluded the Nobel Prize?
Awards & Honours
- ๐ Bharat Ratna
- ๐ Padma Vibhushan
๐ One thing most people don't know
Rao did not attend elementary school but was taught at home by his mother, who was skilled in Hindu literature and arithmetic, until he entered middle school at age six in 1940.
๐ผ๏ธ Through the Years
๐ The Journey
๐๏ธ Discoveries
๐ฅ Speeches & Recordings
Eureka with C N R Rao
YouTube๐ Curated Sources
๐ฑ What changed because of them
C.N.R. Raoโs pioneering work in solid-state and materials chemistry established new research fields in India, notably through founding the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research. His leadership at IISc and advisory roles shaped national science policies, fostering advanced material science research infrastructure. His prolific publications continue to guide chemists globally.
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