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The
Indian Chemical Society
The
Indian Chemical Society, a premier Scientific Society of
India, was founded in 1924, as National Forum for the
community of chemists and members of allied disciplines
in the country. The driving force behind its
establishment was the nationalistic spirit prevailing in
India under British rule. J. N. Mukherjee, J.C. Ghosh
and S.S. Bhatnagar while carrying out their research
work in the University College, London in 1919 for the
D.Sc. Degree, took a decision that after coming back to
India their endeavor would be to establish a Chemical
Society like the Chemical Society of London. Their
cherished dream was transformed into a reality with
active cooperation of many of the leading personalities
in the country, and the Indian Chemical Society was
founded on May 9, 1924, as a registered Society, with
Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray, the doyen of Indian Chemists,
as the first President. Many of the distinguished
personalities in the field of Chemical Science of that
time in India took active interest in nurturing the new
born Society. The composition of the first Council is
shown below
Indian Chemical Society, its objectives and Activities
The
Indian Chemical Society, a premier Scientific Society of
India, was founded in 1924, as National Forum for the
community of chemists and members of allied disciplines
in the country. The driving force behind its
establishment was the nationalistic spirit prevailing in
India under British rule. J. N. Mukherjee, J. C. Ghosh
and S. S. Bhatnagar while carrying out their research
work in the University College, London in 1919 for the
D.Sc. Degree, took a decision that after coming back to
India their endeavor would be to establish a Chemical
Society like the Chemical Society of London. Their
cherished dream was transformed into a reality with
active cooperation of many of the leading personalities
in the country, and the Indian Chemical Society was
founded on May 9, 1924, as a registered Society, with
Sir Prafulla Chandra Ray, the doyen of Indian Chemists,
as the first President. Many of the distinguished
personalities in the field of Chemical Science of that
time in India took active interest in nurturing the new
born Society. The composition of the first Council is
shown below:
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Members of the Council
and Office Bearers (1924) |
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President |
Sir P. C. Ray, KT., C.I.E., Ph.D., D.Sc. |
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Vice-Presidents |
Gilbert J. Fowler, D.Sc., F.I.C.
J. L. Simonsen, D.Sc., F.I.C., F.A.S.B.
E. R. Watson, M.A., D.Sc. |
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Secretary |
J. N. Mukherjee, D.Sc. |
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Treasurer |
P. C. Mitter,
M.A., Ph.D. |
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Editors |
N. R. Dhar, D.Sc., F.I.C., Dr.es.Sc
A. N. Meldrum,
D.Sc. |
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Members of the Council
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H. E. Annett, D.Sc. |
H. K. Sen, M.A., D.Sc.,
D.I.C. |
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S. S. Bhatnagar, D.Sc. |
R. N. Sen, M.A., M.Sc |
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R. L. Datta, D.Sc., F.R.S.E. |
B. K. Singh, D.Sc. |
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B. B. Dey, D.Sc., F.I.C |
B. H. Wilsdon |
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The
Society was established with the following objectives as
laid down in its
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Memorandum of Association |
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The cultivation and
promotion of chemistry and of kindred branches
of science.
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To co-operate with
other organizations having similar objects.
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To do and perform
all other acts, matters and things that may
assist in, conduce to, or be necessary for the
fulfillment of the above mentioned objects, and
for the purposes of the Society.
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The Society shall
not make any dividend, gift, division or bonus
in money to, or between, any of its members, but
may pay remuneration to any of its
Office-bearers.
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The Council shall
have the power to acquire land by purchase, or
by lease for the purpose of fulfillment of the
objects of the Society and to create charge or
Mortgage on the immovable property of the
Society for securing payment of unpaid purchase
money or premium.
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To
begin with, Indian Chemical Society started its activity
with the publication of a quarterly journal. Initially
the Society did not have its own office, and it
functioned from the office of the Secretary Dr. J. N.
Mukherjee, who was then Sir Rashbehary Ghose Professor
of Chemistry in the University College of Science,
Calcutta. Sir P. C. Ray made gift of Rupees Ten Thousand
to the Calcutta University for providing proper
accommodation for the Society. This was utilized for
constructing three large rooms in 1933 in the second
floor of the south wing of Sir Taraknath Palit Building
of the University College of Science and Technology,
Calcutta. Two rooms were allotted to the Society for its
use and the third one for the use of the University. The
Society is housed in this location in University College
of Science and Technology, Kolkata at 92, Acharya
Prafulla Chandra Road, Kolkata-700 009, this being the
address of its registered office.
In
1967, The Indian Chemical Society acquired about 660 sq.
metre plot of land at Kankurgachi in north eastern part
of Kolkata, for construction of a building for the
Society. The foundation stone for the building was laid
by Professor J. N. Mukherjee in 1970. But the
construction work for the proposed Sir P. C. Ray
Memorial Building at the site could not be started
because of lack of sufficient funds. Generous donation
from all concerned, together with the Grants from
Government agencies are a dire necessity for the plan to
materialize.
The
first issue of the quarterly Journal of the Indian
Chemical Society appeared in November 1924 and this
received appreciation from several leading organizations
and personalities of other countries. Professor Wynne,
the then President of the Chemical Society, London,
cabled to Sir P. C. Ray congratulating the Indian
Chemical Society for this venture. The following report
published in the renowned journal “Nature (London)” was
revealing:
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“The great work in chemistry which has occurred
in the Indian Empire during the past ten years,
had lead to the establishment of an Indian
Chemical Society, the first number of the
quarterly journal of the Society has now
appeared. There are thirteen papers, and only
one of these is published under the English
names. The remaining papers are published by
Indians and come from all parts of the Indian
Empire. Four of these emanate from the College
of Science, Calcutta, and this is as it should
be, because for many years past, this
Institution has been the back-bone of chemical
research in India.” |
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The
journal became bimonthly in 1928 and is being published
as monthly issues since 1930. In 1937, in collaboration
with The Institution of Chemists (India), the Industrial
and News Edition of the journal appeared as a separate
quarterly periodical to meet the requirements of the
industrial chemists, which was since 1958 replaced by
the Indian Journal of Applied Chemistry. But because of
dearth of adequate communications in the field its
separate publication has been discontinued since 1973.
At present in the Journal of the Indian Chemical Society
articles, papers, notes and communications in the
following major areas are published:
Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Organic
Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry,
Industrial and Applied Chemistry. Some of the monthly
issues are published as special issues, containing
invited scientific original contributions and reviews,
in honour of distinguished fellows of the Society or to
commemorate special events.
(Information for
Authors for contribution of articles for publication in
the
journal is given in form A)
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Publications of the Society |
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1. |
History of chemistry in
Ancient and Medieval India
[ incorporating P. C. Ray’s
History of Hindu Chemistry]-Edited by P. Ray |
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2. |
Reflections on Chemical
Education - N. R. Dhar |
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3. |
Acharya Prafulla Chandra
Ray : Life and Achievements - N. R. Dhar |
The
Library of the Society
The
Society is receiving about 125 Journals in exchange of
its own Journal. Some of these Journals are not
available elsewhere in the Eastern Region of India. In
addition, there is a fairly large collection of books.
The library facilities are open to all
interested/readers. But due to dearth of adequate space,
the Society is unable to extend full facilities to its
Fellows and other intending users of the library.
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Memorable Past
Events |
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1. |
Silver Jubilee Celebration of the Indian
Chemical Society: held at University College of
Science and Technology, Calcutta-700 009 in
1948. |
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2. |
Golden Jubilee Celebration of the Indian
Chemical Society: held at University College of
Science and Technology, Calcutta-700 009 in
1973. |
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3. |
Diamond Jubilee Celebration of the Indian
Chemical Society: held at Jadavpur University,
Calcutta-700 032 in 1984. |
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4. |
Platinum Jubilee Celebration of the Indian
Chemical Society: held at Jadavpur University &
Indian Association for the Cultivation of
Science, Calcutta-700 032 in 1999. |
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5. |
The prestigious IUPAC sponsored 20th
International Conference on Coordination
Chemistry was hosted under the Convenership of
Professor D. Banerjea by the Indian Chemical
Society at Calcutta, in 1979.
This was co-sponsored by the following
organizations / institutions:
Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi
Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi
The Ramakrishna Mission Institute of Culture, Kolkata
Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Kolkata
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi
The University Grants Commission, New Delhi
University of Calcutta, Kolkata |
Membership
of the Society:
The
Indian Chemical Society has provision for the following
classes of membership:
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Student Membership
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Associate Fellow
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Fellow
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Benefactor
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Patron
Regarding eligibility, dues, benefits and privileges,
the provisions in the Constitutions and
Bye-Laws of the Society be consulted. Copies of which
may be had from the Honorary Secretary, Indian Chemical
Society, on payment of Rs.100 (in cash or by bank draft
on Kolkata Bank) to the Indian Chemical Society, to
cover cost and postage. At present the Annual
Subscriptions payable are as follows:
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Inland |
Foreign |
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Fellows |
2200 |
30 |
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Subscribers |
350 |
60 |
Benefactors and Patrons have to make the following
payments:
Admission to the membership is made by the Council and
formal admission becomes valid following the 1st
day of the next month on receipt of the dues.
Mode
of payments
All
payments can be made by demand draft drawn in favour of
Indian Chemical Society payable at any bank at Kolkata.
Memorial
Lectures, Medals and Awards
Several Endowment Lectures and Awards (mostly annual at
present) have been instituted in the Society. The number
of Endowment Lectures/Awards is 16 at present. These
are:
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1 |
Acharya P. C. Ray Memorial Lecture |
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2 |
Acharya J. C. Ghosh Memorial Lecture
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3 |
Professor P. K. Bose Memorial Lecture
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4 |
Professor Priyadaranjan Ray Memorial Award
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5 |
Dr. Basudev Banerjee Memorial Award |
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6 |
Professor R. D. Desai 80th Birthday
Commemoration Award |
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7 |
Professor J. N. Mukherjee Award |
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8 |
Rev. Fr. L. M. Yeddanapalli Memorial Award |
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9 |
Professor A. S. R. Anjaneyulu 60th
Birthday Commemoration Award |
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10 |
Professor B. N. Ghoah Memorial Award |
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11 |
Professor S. S. Sandhu Award |
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12 |
Dr. Ghanshyam Srivastava Memorial Award |
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13 |
Professor G. V. Bakore Memorial Award |
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14 |
Professor D.P. Chakraborty 60th
Birthday Anniversary Commemoration Award
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15 |
Dr. D.S. Bhakuni Award |
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16 |
Professor S. C. Ameta Award |
In addition there are 13 Annual
Convention Awards as listed below:
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1 |
Dr.J. M. Dasgupta Award |
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2 |
Professor
B. C. Halder Memorial Award |
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3 |
Dr. B. N. Mankad Award
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4 |
Professor
Santi R. Palit Award (Two such)
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5 |
Professor V. Pandu Ranga Rao Award |
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6 |
Professor
A. K. Dey Award |
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7 |
Upadhyayula Annapurna & Satyanarayana Memorial
Award
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8 |
Association of Kineticists Award (Two such) |
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9 |
Dr. Upadhyayula V. Rao Memorial Award |
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10 |
Indian Chemical Society Award |
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11 |
Dr. D.S. Bhakuni Convention Award |
Annual
Convention of Chemists
Since 1963
The Indian Chemical Society has been organizing an
Annual Convention of Chemists in collaboration with the
Institution of Chemists (India). This is sponsored by
different funding agencies, such as the Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research, University Grants
Commission, including DST and others. At the Annual
Convention, the endowment lectures of the Society are
delivered by distinguished speakers, selected by dully
constituted selection committees and in addition there
are invited lectures delivered in the different sessions
of the convention. Oral and poster presentations of
communications by younger chemists are also arranged.
Some of the papers published at the Annual Convention of
Chemists are selected for Convention Awards.
Branches
There is provision in the
rules of the Society for establishing of branch in
different regions of the country. At present the Society
has the branches at the following places Allahabad,
Magadh, Mumbai, Sagar, Udaipur, Vadodara and Tamil Nadu.
Appendices:
1.
Form for application for
Membership of the Society
2.
Information for Authors
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