In Pursuit Of Excellence.....

Alfred Nobel signed his last will in Paris on 27 November 1895. He specified that the bulk of his fortune should be divided into five parts to be used for prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, literature, and peace, awarded to those who have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind in the preceding year.

The visionary knew that in coming years, this award would not only become the greatest honour for any individual on this planet but would also inspire generations to challenge the status quo and build/find/create something great that would positively impact lives.

I was very small when my dad used to recite this poem to me often from a book…!!

“Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high, where knowledge is free. Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls……

…….? Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action

Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.”

?By the time he finished reciting the phrases, a face emerged from the cover of the book, clouded in white beard but glittering eyes as if they were real and looking through my soul...!! I was 4 or may be 5 years old when he introduced Rabindranath Tagore in our lives… and the introduction had a poignant mention of him being the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize for literature, in 1913 when India was still under the British regime.

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That day, I was introduced to the Nobel Prize and how anyone who?receives has made a profound contribution to humanity. During our formative years, information was not easily accessible but I remember buying a book called “Manorama Year Book” with my savings to see who the new additions to the Nobel list and my heart swelled with pride every time I saw an Indian name out there.

?After Sir. C.V. Raman, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light, known as the Raman effect, there was an era where no Indian ever made it?to that podium for almost 50 years.

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When the world realized that a saint had set foot on earth and her profound love had touched millions?of hearts, in 1979 Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for?her work among the poor and destitute.

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Followed by Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar in 1983 for his theoretical studies on the structure and evolution of stars.

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India made its name in the world of economics when Amartya Sen won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1998 for his contributions to welfare economics and social choice theory

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While India was progressing in making a mark in this world through its technological advancement and global economic impact. There came an Indian social reformer who campaigned against child Labour in India and advocated the universal right to education. Kailash Satyarthi was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2014 for his efforts to combat child Labour and child trafficking.

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Till 2024, 976 individuals and 28 organizations have received the?Nobel Prize. Imagine, if not for them we would not have the world that we live in today.

Nobel Laureates have undeniably shaped the modern world through their exceptional contributions in various fields. Their work has revolutionized science, enriched arts and literature, and advanced diplomatic efforts to foster peace and justice. As we continue to face global challenges, the legacy of these remarkable individuals serves as a beacon of inspiration, reminding us of the power of human ingenuity and the enduring impact of dedicated pursuit of knowledge and truth.