Kuruvilla Pandikattu SJ
It may be noted that Father Lafont was not actually a creative research scientist. But then he was something more than a popular science lecturer. Thus Arun Kumar Biswas wrote: “The manner with which Lafont grasped and interpreted the latest scientific discoveries spoke of his command over the frontiers of science. The high proficiency which he attained in the study of physics gives evidence that had he remained in Europe, he would have won a very conspicuous place in the world of Science. He however devoted himself to the cause of Bengal Mission as `the needs of Bengal were many”’. His contribution to the development of a scientific ethos in the country was very significant. He expanded the scientific emphasis of the St. Xavier’s College. At his request priests `with scientific learning’ were sent to Kolkata from Belgium. He established a fully equipped laboratory at the college. He built this laboratory largely based on contributions received by him and entry fees for attending his lectures. Commenting on the laboratory the house magazine of the college, The Xaverian (Vol. 1, No.2. 1904, p.61) wrote: “…The first thing that strikes the visitor on entering the Physical Science Laboratory, apart from the vast proportions of the hall, is the magnificent array of almirahs all filled with instruments, that surround the place, and increase in number, dimensions and importance as he proceeds towards the further end of the room. This is the place for mute astonishment…As regards the scientific equipment, the laboratory is fully up to date, and to quote, the words of the inspectors appointed by the University of Calcutta: “Its collection of apparatus…is far above the actual requirements of the ordinary University courses.”
In 1875, he built a small astronomical observatory in the college. This created lot of interest among the people about scientific matter. It was the Italian astronomer Pietro Tacchini (1838-1905), who influenced Father Lafont to build the observatory. Tacchini came to India as the leader of the Italian expedition to observe the transit of Venus in December 1874. The other members of the expedition team were the Jesuit Angelo Secchi (1818-78), director of the Observatory of the Collegio Romano; Alessandro Dorna (1825- 86) of the Observatory of Turin and Antonio Abetti (1846-1928) of the Observatory of Padua. At the instance of F. Lamouroux, Italian Consul of Calcutta, Tacchini selected Madhupur as their site of observation. Lamouroux had consulted Lafont while selecting observation station for Tacchini. Lsafont was also invited to join the expedition. As a member of the expedition team, Lafont, along with Prof. Dorna, carried out visual observations. The spectroscopic observations were carried out by Prof. Tacchini and Abetti. Though the weather hindered the observations, Prof. Tacchini’s team could obtain important results. Father Lafont wrote an interesting account of the expedition and got it published. Here we quote from Father Lafont’s account:
“As the time approached when the first contact was expected, the clouds gathered more numerous around the sun, as if determined to hide it, and we had great difficulty in securing a view of its bright edge through the openings left between these obnoxious screens. However, Prof. Dorna and myself succeeded in taking down with tolerable accuracy the two first contacts. Those who understand the spectroscopic method must have guessed already that our talented chief and his companion could not have seen these two first phases of the transit, since absolute purity of the atmosphere is a necessary condition of success in these delicate researches. Fortunately, soon after, the sky gradually became clearer, and during the transit Prof. Tacchini discovered in the atmosphere of Venus unmistakable the sign vapour of water. This result, corroborated by Prof. Abetti, is in itself a very valuable addition to our knowledge of the planet. Encouraged by this unforeseen discovery and the better state of the atmosphere, we all resumed our places at the eye-piece of our instruments, and had the great satisfaction of catching, all of this time, the two last contacts. Here again, the ordinary method of observation gave us times agreeing very closely, whilst our companions of the spectroscope had the good fortune of establishing upon experimental proofs the great superiority of the spectroscopic method over all others, in determining the real time of contact, to a small fraction of a second, with ease and certainty. The main object of this mission is therefore accomplished.”
The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science was established in 1876 with the object “to enable the Natives of India to cultivate Science in all its departments with a view to its advancement by original research, and (as it will necessarily follow) with a view to its varied applications to the arts and comforts of life.” It was Mahendra Lal Sircar who first proposed the creation of such an institution for the creation of mass interest in science and for the training of scientists for undertaking original research. It was working in this institution that C. V. Raman brought the Nobel Prize in science to India. Father Lafont not only lent his wholehearted support to Sircar’s scheme but also helped the Association in its development in many ways. The provisional committee appointed for drawing up a plan for the organization of the Association was chaired by Father Lafont. The Association was finally established on January15, 1876. The teaching work of the Association started shortly after its inception with the appointment of Father Lafont and Dr. Sircar as honorary lectures in Physics and of Dr. Kanai Lal Dey as an honorary lecturer in chemistry. It was Father Lafont who started his course on August 24, 1876. He lectured on light, Genera Physics and Sound. On an average he gave 20 to 30 lectures per year. He continued to give regular lecture at the Association till 1893. However, he continued to give popular science lecture at the Association off and on and he he also continued to participate in its annual meetings.
(contd… on part III)
