While India's historical contributions to global science, technology, civilization, culture, cosmology, astrobiology, linguistics, and literature are undeniably profound.
But what about our contribution in last century?
The impact of Indians in the last century was equally significant, albeit often shaped by a different set of challenges and opportunities.
In the realm of science, figures like C.V. Raman and S.N. Bose revolutionized physics with the Raman Effect and Bose-Einstein statistics, respectively, earning global acclaim, while mathematical genius Srinivasa Ramanujan left an indelible mark on number theory.
Hargobind Khorana's Nobel-winning work on cracking the genetic code was a landmark achievement in biochemistry, and pioneers like Homi J. Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai laid the foundations for India’s nuclear and space programs, demonstrating a forward-looking technological vision.
Yellapragada Subbarow, an unsung pioneer, made monumental, yet often overlooked, contributions to modern medicine, including the isolation of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine, pivotal to understanding cellular energy, and his groundbreaking work on folic acid that led to the development of methotrexate, a cornerstone chemotherapy drug, alongside the isolation of tetracycline, a broad-spectrum antibiotic. His impactful discoveries stand alongside those of numerous other brilliant minds who fundamentally reshaped healthcare.
These diverse contributions underscore India's sustained intellectual dynamism and its crucial role in shaping the modern world across multiple disciplines.
Some of the major Indian inventions from the last 100 years—along with their dates—span diverse fields such as medicine, technology, and science, showcasing India’s global impact
Other Major Indian Inventions in the Last Century
USB Technology: Ajay Bhatt, an Indian-American computer architect, co-invented the Universal Serial Bus (USB), a standard for connecting computers and electronic devices, now used globally for data transfer and charging.
Wireless Communication: Jagadish Chandra Bose pioneered radio wave communication, laying groundwork for everything from mobile phones to Wi-Fi networks.
Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) Technology: Developed recently by Saankya Labs and IIT Kanpur, D2M allows users to stream videos on mobile phones without needing an internet connection.
Other Innovative Technologies
Quantum Key Distribution: DRDO and IIT Delhi demonstrated secure quantum communication over 1 km, contributing to cybersecurity.
Carrier Ethernet Switch Router (CESR): Developed at IIT Bombay, this high-capacity communication device streamlines data transmission for telecommunications.
India’s innovation culture continues to generate solutions with global impact, merging traditional ingenuity with modern technology.
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Plastic Roads (early 2000s): Rajagopalan Vasudevan’s method is widely used across Indian cities for more durable, eco-friendly roads.
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Edible Cutlery (2010s): Narayana Peesapati’s cutlery combats plastic waste.
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Goggles for the Blind (G4B, 2017): Anang Tadar’s innovation for visually impaired navigation.
These inventions continue to shape global health, technology, and infrastructure in significant ways.
Epilogue:
The century-long draconian oppression and systemic suppression of colonial rule profoundly stunted India's inherent potential, deliberately stifling indigenous innovation and denying platforms for intellectual advancement.
Even in the arduous aftermath of nation-building, the emergent nation often grappled with foundational challenges, diverting focus and resources from pioneering opportunities. Consequently, countless brilliant Indian minds, despite their immense capabilities, were tragically unable to find the right opportunity at the right time to fully bloom on the global stage.
This historical trajectory, however, in no way diminishes the undeniable truth: Indian intellectual power is demonstrably on par with, if not superior to, that of any Western nation, possessing a depth of ingenuity and analytical prowess that only truly began to unfurl its wings once the historical shackles were shed.
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