Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (1894-1955) was a pioneering Indian scientist who made immense contributions to the fields of physical chemistry, natural products, and industrial research. He was born on February 21, 1894, in Bhera, Punjab (now in Pakistan) to a Hindu family. Bhatnagar’s father was a clerk in the British Indian government and died when he was just five years old. Despite financial difficulties, his mother was determined to give him a good education, and he went on to become one of India’s most renowned scientists. Bhatnagar obtained his Bachelor’s degree in 1915 from Lahore College and his Master’s degree in 1917 from the University of the Punjab. He then went on to study at the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom, where he received his PhD in 1920. After completing his doctoral studies, he worked as a research assistant at the University of Bristol and later at the University of Cambridge.
In 1926, Bhatnagar returned to India and was appointed as a professor of chemistry at Banaras Hindu University. He was later appointed as the head of the department of chemistry at the University of Lahore in 1930. During his tenure at the University of Lahore, he established the first laboratory in India for the study of colloids and surface chemistry.
In 1943, Bhatnagar was appointed as the founder-director of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in India. He was instrumental in establishing several research institutions and laboratories under the CSIR, including the National Physical Laboratory in New Delhi, the Central Food Technological Research Institute in Mysore, and the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore.
Bhatnagar made several important contributions to the field of physical chemistry, including the Bhatnagar-Mathur-Lippmann equation for calculating viscosity, and the Bhatnagar-Gross-Krook (BGK) equation for the kinetic theory of gases. He also conducted extensive research in the field of natural products and discovered several new compounds, including anti-inflammatory agents and insecticides.
In recognition of his scientific contributions, Bhatnagar was awarded several prestigious awards and honors, including the Padma Vibhushan (1954), the second-highest civilian award in India, and the Lenin Peace Prize (1957). He was also elected as a fellow of the Royal Society of London in 1945, becoming the first Indian to be elected to this prestigious society.
Bhatnagar passed away on January 1, 1955, at the age of 60, but his legacy continues to live on through the numerous research institutions and scientific journals that he founded. He is considered as one of the most influential Indian scientists of the 20th century and his work continues to inspire and guide scientists around the world.
In conclusion, Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar’s life and work embody the spirit of scientific inquiry, innovation, and dedication to the advancement of knowledge. His tireless efforts to establish India as a leading nation in scientific research and development continue to inspire generations of Indian scientists and researchers.
