CV Raman's Nobel Prize win had a connection with Birla family: Here's the inspiring story behind Raman effect and Asia's first Nobel Prize in Physics

If you have been catching the latest episodes of Kaun Banega Crorepati, you already know it’s been more than just a quiz show, it’s a full-on emotional roller coaster with laughter, nostalgia, insight and surprise moments that sometimes go way beyond general knowledge questions. And at the center of all this? None other than Amitabh Bachchan, the man who has practically become the very soul of KBC over the years. This season has featured some genuinely unforgettable moments with celebrities, regular contestants and heartfelt stories that tug at your heartstrings.From industrialist Kumar Mangalam Birla’s debut on the hot seat, where he opened up about how his father set tough conditions before allowing him to join the family business, to hilarious contestant confessions (like the man who skipped marriage just to be on KBC first!), this season has had it all. In one of the episodes, Big B once shared anecdotal stories about legendary figures like C.V. Raman writing to G.D. Birla requesting funds for scientific work, a bit of history mixed with inspiration, and fans online continue to connect that vibe to KBC’s emotional storytelling ethos.Long before science grants, crowdfunding, or corporate sponsorships became a thing, some breakthroughs happened simply because the right people believed in the right ideas. One such story is the lesser-known but inspiring connection between industrialist G.D.Birla and scientist C.V. Raman, which eventually led to one of India’s greatest scientific achievements, the Raman Effect.In the 1920s, C.V. Raman was deeply involved in research on how light behaves when it passes through different substances.It was cutting-edge work, but like most scientific research at the time, it needed money, for equipment, experiments, and time. The problem? India didn’t have a strong system to fund scientific research back then. That’s when G.D.Birla stepped in to assist. When he learned about Raman’s work and its potential, he didn’t hesitate to support it financially. He helped Raman with Rs 22,000 fund, that helped Raman continue his experiments without limitations. And in 1928, that dedication paid off when Raman made the discovery that later came to be known as the Raman Effect, a phenomenon that explained how light changes when it passes through transparent materials.Two years later, C.V. Raman became the first Asian to win the Nobel Prize in Physics, putting India firmly on the global scientific map.G.D. Birla was much more than just a successful businessman, he was a visionary who believed that India’s future depended on strong industry, education, and science. Born in 1894, Ghanshyam Das Birla grew up at a time when India was still under British rule, and from early on, he believed that Indians could build world-class businesses on their own.He was one of the pioneers of modern Indian industry, laying the foundation for what would later become the Aditya Birla Group. But what really set G.D. Birla apart was his mindset. He didn’t see wealth as just personal success, he saw it as a tool to build the nation. That’s why he actively supported education, scientific research, and social causes, often quietly and without seeking credit.