Padma Shri

Harish Chandra Verma
HC verma.png
Verma during a lecture
Born (1952-04-03) 3 April 1952 (age 71)
Darbhanga, Bihar, India
Alma mater
Known forConcepts of Physics textbook
Awards
  • Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Siksha Puruskar (2017)
  • Padma Shri (2021)
Scientific career
FieldsNuclear physics
ThesisStudies Of The Electric Field Gradients in Non-cubic Metals Using 57^Fe Mössbauer Spectroscopy (1980)
Doctoral advisorProf. G. N. Rao (IIT Kanpur)
Websitehcverma.in

Harish Chandra Verma (born 03 April 1952), popularly known as HCV, is an Indian experimental physicist, author and emeritus professor of the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur). In 2021, he was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, by the Government of India for his contribution to Physics.[1] His field of research is nuclear physics.[2]

He has authored several schools, undergraduate and graduate level textbooks, including but not limited to the most popular and most reputed two-volume Concepts of Physics, extensively used by students appearing for various high-level competitive examinations.[3][4]

He has co-founded Shiksha Sopan, a social upliftment organization for economically weaker children living near the campus of IIT Kanpur.[3][5] He has dedicated himself in training young minds in the field of Physics. He has immensely contributed to popularising Physics education among Indian students and teachers by conducting lectures and experimental demonstrations.

He has been awarded the Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Shiksha Puruskar by the Bihar state government.[3][6]

Early life and study

Verma obtained his B.Sc. degree at the Patna Science College. He obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur.[3][4]

Career

Patna Science College

In early 1980, Verma joined Patna Science College as a lecturer.[3] He remained at the college as a lecturer and reader for 15 years[6] before resigning from the college and joining IIT Kanpur.

IIT Kanpur

Verma joined IIT Kanpur in 1994 as an assistant professor. Here he pursued research in experimental nuclear physics. He has published 139 research papers.[7] He retired on 30 June 2017.[8]

Physics outreach

Verma has developed more than six hundred ‘low cost’ physics experiments that teachers can employ in their classrooms. In 2011, he set up the National Anveshika Network of India (NANI), a flagship program of the Indian Association of Physics Teachers (IAPT). He is the national coordinator for this program. There are currently 22 Anveshikas in the country.[3][4]

Bibliography

Online courses

Awards

References

  1. ^ a b "Padma Awards | Interactive Dashboard". www.dashboard-padmaawards.gov.in. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  2. ^ "Profile of DR. H. C. Verma". Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur. Retrieved 2 April 2016.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "Meet Padma Shri HC Verma, who struggled to pass in school, teaches India Physics today". Hindustan Times. 10 February 2020.
  4. ^ a b c "Meet the man who taught India physics". Deccan Chronicle. 6 June 2018.
  5. ^ "Spreading the light of knowledge". The Tribune. 31 August 2014. Retrieved 19 September 2014.
  6. ^ a b "Azad honour for physics teacher". The Telegraph. 11 November 2017.
  7. ^ Verma, H C. "Prof. H C Verma". H C Verma. Retrieved 10 April 2018.
  8. ^ "IIT Kanpur's HC Verma retires, students pour adoration on Twitter". The Indian Express. 3 July 2017.
  9. ^ "प्रो. एचसी वर्मा को मौलाना आजाद शिक्षा पुरस्कार". Hindustan (in Hindi). Retrieved 28 August 2020.
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