The letter J brings takes me from ancient India and the myths and legends of India to a more recent time in Indian history, and to Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose, an amazing visionary who deserves all the credit he has so far, and more. His inventions and discoveries from over a century ago still continue to be of use and continue to help advance science and technology even today.
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The Genius of Jagadish Chandra Bose
Journeying with Jagadish’s Genius
Sir Jagadish Chandra Bose – a polymath was he,
with interests in botany, physiology, and biology.
He also was a genius in physics,
a pioneer in radio microwave optics.
Born in Munshiganj, Bengal Presidency,
Sir Bose was indeed a true visionary.
Studied in Calcutta and also at Cambridge,
He was a brilliant student and scholar at every stage.
With botany and physics as his field
He explored nature’s secrets, unwilling to yield
His experiments with plants and radio waves
Shed light on science in myriad ways.
With experiments on microwave optics,
He showed the way to wireless communication,
His inventions paved the way for modern technology,
A true legend of scientific innovation.
And I have not said enough to show his genius,
for his contributions go beyond the sciences.
A writer, educator, and philosopher who
was considered the father of Bengali science fiction too!
A visionary who saw interconnectedness everywhere,
and after whom, on the moon is named a crater!
His inventions and discoveries still serve us today
truly a man ahead of his time, we must all say!
But did I, as a poem, do enough justice to his name?
Did I capture the essence of his genius and fame?
All I can say is let us keep alive his memory,
and give this visionary pioneer his well-deserved glory!
~ Vidya Tiru @ LadyInreadWrites
My Take on the NaPoWriMo Prompt
The Day 12 prompt asks us to address the poem itself, and while I really do want to write one today because I loved writing them earlier (like the years prior to this one – here and here), today I once again tried to weave it in as part of my A-Z poetic series for the month. The last stanza here is that attempt.
References and Further Reading
- Wikipedia page on Jagadish Chandra Bose
- Jagadis Chandra Bose (Amar Chitra katha)
- Sir Jagadis Chunder Bose: His Life and Speeches by Jagadis Chunder Bose (Note: ignore the spellings here for it refers to the same person; I left the spellings as it is in this book but used the spelling for the name I first knew for him).
My J Books
Jazz Owls
Jazz Owls: A Novel of the Zoot Suit Riots by Margarita Engle with illustrations by Rudy Gutierrez (Novel-in-verse | Children’s Historical Fiction | 12 years and up)
From the Young People’s Poet Laureate Margarita Engle comes a searing novel in verse about the Zoot Suit Riots of 1943.
I hadn’t read of (of maybe only have a faint memory) of these riots in some article before this book. With Margarita Engle’s stunning narrative in free verse, told through the voices of some of the characters, including a few Jazz Owls, this book takes readers back to 1943 effortlessly. Rudy Gutierrez’s illustrations seemingly scattered across the pages add to the visual images of Engle’s narrative.
I learned more about the USO than I had known before, and learned about the Jazz Owls (that I had no idea of prior to this). Engle’s narrative rich in language (from the 1940s as well as use of Spanish words sprinkled throughout) transports readers to that lush yet harsh world of the characters themselves – of canneries and jazz clubs, of hard work and dance and great music – and gives us an amazing history lesson wrapped within a beautiful story! Once you start reading it, you will find yourself lost in the pages, and that period as well. Time traveling is easy after all..
Junk Boy
Junk Boy by Tony Abbott (Novels in verse | Teen and YA)
Bestselling author Tony Abbott’s YA novel-in-verse is an unflinching and heartbreaking look at a boy’s junk-filled life, and the ways he finds redemption and hope, perfect for fans of The Crossover and Long Way Down.
My Quick Thoughts
Heart-wrenching yet hopeful, beautiful while showing the ugly sides of life, honest and raw, this book is one that will stay with you a while after you turn the last page. Tony Abbott deals with many tough issues here and does it well. While there are some things I felt could have been changed just a bit, it does not take away from the book, nor from Bobby’s story.
And Now, the End of This Post
Linking up to BlogChatterA2Z, Blogging from A-to-Z April Challenge, NaPoWriMo, and the Ultimate Blog Challenge.
I really enjoyed the poem you wrote about Bose. It was a beautiful tribute to Bose’s genius and his contributions to science. I also thought it was interesting that you chose to write the poem in free verse. This allowed you to capture the fluid and creative nature of Bose’s work.
I love learning something from each one of your poems! Keep it up!
He should have been awarded the Nobel.
Here from the A-Z and very glad to see this tribute to him. All the best for the challenge.
This article on Jagadish Chandra Bose’s life and achievements is fascinating and engaging! You have seamlessly woven together the historical facts and personal anecdotes, making for an enjoyable and informative read.