Worldwide President of Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) Professor Dr. Saifur Rahman said Sir Jagadish Chandra (JC) Bose was a visionary whose ideas led to such achievements as crystal radio sets and the demonstration of electrical nature of plant responses. Throughout his life, Sir Bose conducted research selflessly without desire for personal gains or fame.

He made these comments while announcing the establishment of "IEEE Jagadish Chandra Bose Medal" in Wireless Communications at a program organized by Pan-Indian Institute of Technology (Pan-IIT) USA at the Rayburn House Office Building of the US Capitol in Washington DC on Friday. US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthy hosted the program.

Bangladesh Ambassador to the U.S. Muhammad Imran, Pan-IIT Alumni USA President Mr. Ron Gupta, Physicist, internationally bestselling author, celebrated lecturer, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and donor for the medal Dr. Mani L. Bhaumik, Chairman, IIT 2024 and Past President, Pan-IIT USA Sid Chowdhury and Sir Bose’s great grandniece Dr. Krishna Bose spoke among others.

Dr. Saifur Rahman said Sir JC Bose was largely unaccredited for his work on radio communications for many years. Fortunately, there has been a greater understanding of his work and his contributions to the development of modern wireless communications in recent times. He is now regarded as one of the fathers of radio science. “Now IEEE has established the "IEEE Jagadish Chandra Bose Medal" in Wire Communications, which will have global visibility. Starting in 2025, this medal and a cash prize will recognize exceptional individuals who embody the legacy of Sir Bose with their commitment to improving human experience through wireless communication technology,” he added.

Ambassador Muhammad Imran said Sir Jagdish Chandra Bose may not be a very familiar name in the Western world but in our part of the world we rightly know him as a pioneer in the fields of physical, electro-physiological and plant-physiological research who was denied the recognition of his contribution in wireless communication and his discovery of optical properties of radio waves. He said, however, in the world of scientific research, it is not uncommon to see scientists not getting the due share of their credit for various reasons like peer jealousy or unfair competition. Unfortunately, Sir JC Bose was one such victim.

Ambassador Imran mentioned that Sir JC Bose was born in a place called Mymensingh, which is a part of Bangladesh now. And people of Bangladesh consider him someone of their own and are proud of his brilliant discoveries, whether or not acknowledged by the rest of the world. He, on behalf of the people of Bangladesh, extended his deep respect and appreciation to Dr. Mani Lal Bhoumik, who has donated the staggering amount of one million US dollars to establish the prestigious "IEEE JC Bose Medal" in Wireless Communications.

Dr. Mani Bhaumik expressed his thanks to all for doing such good things for humanity.

Dr. Krishna Bose said, Sir Bose’s remarkable contribution to the development of wireless telegraphy was the special iron-mercury-iron Coherer (detector) he had invented, which was used by Marconi, resulting in a Nobel Prize for which Acharya J. C. Bose's name was never included as a contributing scientist. She said, however, that he not only discovered and solved Unique Scientific Solutions but also had a deep and abiding love of culture, history, and art. 

“He had a very close and lifelong friendship with Noble Laureate Poet Rabindranath Tagore. Both his office and home have frescoes of the famous artist Nandalal Bose. Even the big wooden doors at the entrance to Bose Institute have carvings and symbols from Hindu and Buddhist legends.  I urge you all to visit the Bose Institute and see what a remarkable institution it is. At least visit their website to get a glimpse of its heritage and current contributions to advancing Scientific endeavor,” she added.

It may be mentioned here that Sir Bose showed that plants, like animals, react to stimuli through the transmission of electrical impulses. He invented the Crescograph – a device that measures tiny reactions and changes in plant cells in response to stimuli. Sir Bose also made many important contributions to the field of radio science. He developed an improved coherer- a sensitive device to detect radio waves and invented the Crystal Detector, which inspired the first radio receivers. He was a major force behind the expansion of experimental science on the Indian subcontinent.

Dignitaries from different organizations and high-level IT professionals of the US were present during the program.