Today, that is, February 16 is the death anniversary of Indian Scientist Meghnad Saha, a pioneer in astrophysics. He was was born on Oct 6, 1893, near Dhaka (current Bangladesh).

Saha's theory of thermal ionisation, which explained the origin of stellar spectra, was one of India's most important contributions to world science during the 20th century. It was an epoch-making the discovery.

Saha, jointly with S N Bose prepared an English translation of Einstein's papers on the theory of relativity which happens to be the first on record.

He produced the famous equation, which he called 'equation of the reaction-isobar for ionization', which later became known as Saha's 'Thermo-Ionization Equation'.

He first started the teaching and training in nuclear physics in the country.

The first cyclotron in the country was built with Saha's initiatives.

Saha was a great institution builder. Among the institutions that he built were: National Academy of Sciences, India, at Allahabad, Indian Physical Society, Kolkata, National Institution of Sciences of India.

Shah breathed his last on February 16, 1956, in New Delhi.

( Source: AIR (twitter) (pic courtesy: wikiwand.com)