Narayan Chandra Rana

Narayan Chandra Rana (12 October 1954 - 22 August 1996) was an Indian Professor.

Early life

Rana was born on 12 October 1954 in Sauri, a village in southern Midnapore, West Bengal. He was a student at the local school, Sauri Bholanath Vidyamandir. At school he met a graduate from Calcutta named Manindra Narayan Lahiri, avid sky watcher, who introduced Rana to the beauty of the star-studded sky. Manindra Narayan 's observation sessions would have Rana as his assistant well past midnight.

Rana attended the Presidency College, where he met the cosmologist Professor Amal Kumar Raychaudhuri.

Rana joined the TIFR, Bombay in 1977 where he began his research in astrophysics with Professor Jayant Vishnu Narlikar. His thesis was entitled "An investigation of the properties of intergalactic dust". Rana was awarded the INSA Young Scientist Award in 1983 and the Year’s Best Thesis award in the School of Physics, TIFR.

In spite of non-cooperative health and recurrent problems with his pace maker, Rana has left his mark in many branches of Astrophysics and in Amateur Astronomy in India. He was the Chairman of the CIAA. His project of measuring the diameter of the Sun during the total solar eclipse on 24 October 1995 involving a large team of young students, was a very challenging one.

Professor Narayan Chandra Rana died on 22 August 1996 at Pune, at the age of 42.

Personal life

Father: Rajendra Prasad
Mother: Nakfuri Devi

Education

Primary from Sauri Primary School
Secondary from Sauri Bholanath Vidyamandir(H.S)
Graduate in Physics from Presidency College, Calcutta
Post Graduation in Physics from Science College, Calcutta University
Ph.D from TATA Institute of Fundamental Research ( TIFR )
Post Doctorate from Durhum University, U.K.

Achievement

Secured first position in all subjects throughout his school life.
Became Second in West Bengal in S.F.(Madhyamik) Examination,1969.
Became Second in M.Sc. with Physics.
Got Geeta Udgonkar Medal for best research from TIFR, Bombay.
Received International award “Wealth Bursnay Award” & “SERC for Fellowship”research on “Evolution of Galaxy and Earth” from Durhum University.
Best Teacher Award from Pune-1995.
Best Young Scientist Award from Indian National Science Academy (INSA)
Posthumous Award of Rs. One lakh and a certificate from The National Council for Science Academy & Technology Communication(WCSTC)

Brief Works

Research at TIFR, Bombay till 1991.Then worked as a research professor at IUCAA, Pune .Worked as a director and member in many fields of Astro-Physics of National and International repute.

Notable works

Classical Mechanics – Included in M.Sc. syllabus and Oxford University.
Our Solar System – (Readable for all)
Night Fall on a Sunny Morning.
Myth and Legends Related to Eclipses'(1995)
Observer’s Planner (1997)
Challenge of Astronomy (1995)

Besides, about 70 research paper and many essays and lectures.Some unfinished books and writings.

References