The National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI) Annual Report (April 2017 – March 2018) 5, Lajpatrai Road, Allahabad - 211 002 i POSTAL ADDRESS The National Academy of Sciences, India 5, Lajpatrai Road, Allahabad – 211002, India PHONE +91-532-2640224, 2441243 FAX +91-532-2641183 E-MAIL
[email protected] WEBSITE http://www.nasi.nic.in http://www.nasi.org.in NASI, Allahabad is also on the FACEBOOK & TWITTER Published by the General Secretary (HQ), NASI for The National Academy of Sciences, India, Allahabad ii Late Prof. Meghnad Saha, Founder President An Academy of Science can do a great deal by educating public opinion, undertaking particular problems, and bringing out scientific workers in various fields for discussion and cooperative research. But the main function of the Academy should be towards cultural improvement by contributions to human knowledge. - Prof. Meghnad Saha on the Inaugural Session of the Academy India is justified in feeling proud for its unique contributions to science in ancient days. However, successive foreign invasions and alien rule for centuries pushed science in the background and the country went through with what may be described as the dark age for science. Western science attracted Indian intelligentsia after the establishment of the western system of education and the universities; and despite many constraints, the country could produce giants like Prof. Meghnad Saha, Prof. S. N. Bose, Sir J.C. Bose and Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray. The first World War and the world-wide economic depression caused a set back to scientific research globally - much more so in India whose scientists found it difficult even to publish their research work since they had to be almost entirely dependent on foreign journals.