[PART 1]
- Kuruvilla Pandikattu SJ
Father Eugene Lafont SJ occupies a unique place in the history of modern science in India. He came to Kolkata (then Calcutta) in 1864 at the age of thirty-four. Father Lafont joined the St Xavier’s College on December 07, 1865 and he was associated with it for 43 years (1865-1908). At St.Xavier’s Father Lafont ‘taught science, preached science (along with religion of course) and practised science’. He taught here Jagadis Chandra Bose, regarded as the first scientist in modern India and many other illustrious students. Under the guidance of Father Lafont, St.Xavier’s College established meteorological and astronomical observatories and a physical laboratory. Father Lafont played an instrumental role in persuading the Calcutta University in initiating undergraduate course in science. He, along with Mahendra Lal Sircar, was the co-founder of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science. The Association, which was established in 1876, was the first institution of scientific research to be established and managed by the natives of India. Father Lafont is rightly considered as one of the architects of modern Indian science. “Lafont and Mahendralal were genuine path-finders in the Indian science movement of the `nationalist’ hue as contrasted with `colonial’ variety. Quite fittingly, they were called the twin fathers of modern science in India. J.C. Bose, C.V. Raman etc. were deeply indebted to their leadership,” writes Arun Kumar Biswas. Lafont established meteorological and astronomical observatories at St.Xavier’s College. It was his public popular scientific lecturecum-demonstrations in which he excelled over all his other activities. His first popular scientific demonstration to the public of Kolkata on September 18, 1868 and he continued to lecture till his death.
Father Lafont was a man of religion but he did not find any contradiction in dedicating his life for teaching and ‘preaching’ science. He also practiced religion with equal zeal. Father Lafont vehemently opposed the idea that science and religion cannot go together. He believed that truth of one kind cannot be opposed to truth of another kind. He put mind or soul at higher pedestal than matter. Father Lafont advocated a balanced commitment for science and religion. Along with teaching and giving popular science lectures, Father Lafont continued his theological studies. His sermons at St.Thomas Church, where he was the Vicar, were so popular that they even attracted non-Catholics as well
Father Lafont was born at Mons, a little town in the southern-most part of Belgium, on March 26, 1837. His father Pierre Lafont was an army officer. His early education was at St. Barbara’s College at Ghent (or Gent), where his father was posted. He joined the Society of Jesus in December 1854. After receiving the necessary training of the Order, Father Lafont joined the Namur College for studying Philosophy and Natural Sciences. Father Depelchin, who later established the St.Xavier’s College at Kolkata in 1860, was the minister of the Namur College. Within five years of the establishment of St.Xavier’s College, Father Depelchin requested for the services of Father Lafont for teaching physics. Father Lafont arrived at the St.Xavier’s College on December 07, 1865. His first assignment was to teach the 5th year or Pre-entrance class of the school. When in 1867, the BA class was opened at St.Xavier’s Father Lafont was promoted from the school department to take charge of the Natural Philosophy division in the college. He also taught Mental and Moral Philosophy. In 1871 Father Lafont became the Rector of the St.Xavier’s.
Father Lafont is often referred to as the teacher of the first scientist in modern India, Jagadis Chandra Bose. It was Father Lafont who inspired Bose in experimental science. Thus Patrick Geddes, the biographer of Bose, wrote: “…and his (Father Lafont’s) patient skill, his subtelity, as well as brilliance of experimentation, were appreciated by this young student above all. Here was Bose’s first discipline towards that combination of intellectual lucidity with wealth of experimental device and resource by which he has all the more fully represented and honoured his old master by surpassing him.” Since the beginning Father Lafont thought very high of Bose. In a certificate given to Jagadis Chandra Bose on April 12, 1880 Father Lafont wrote: “I certify that Baboo Jagadis Chunder Bose B.A. was my pupil in Physical Science for a period of four years and gave some proof of very great proficiency in that branch of study. I consider him to be one of the best students we had in our College Department.” Father Lafont believed that Bose had a priority over Marconi in inventing wireless transmission. This is clear from a letter he wrote to Bose sometime in August 1897. Lafont wrote: “I would like to give a public lecture at St. Xavier’s College Hall on “Telegraphy Without Wires”, but as the instruments you so kindly gave me are not in working order and as I would like to take this opportunity to vindicate your rights to priority over Marconi, would you assist me in my lecture with your presence and work your own instruments. Let me know as soon as possible as I intend inviting the Lieutenant Governor…” Bose always gratefully remembered his extraordinary teacher.
