H. C. Verma

Harish Chandra Verma (born 3 April 1952) is an Indian experimental physicist and a retired professor at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur since 1994. His field of research is nuclear physics.^[1]

He has authored several books on physics at the graduate, undergraduate and school levels. His most popular work is the two-volume book Concepts of Physics. He has co-founded initiatives like Shiksha Sopan for the social upliftment of the children of the economically weaker section living near the IITK campus.^[2] According to his website, he is currently working on a book dealing with electrostatics, magnetostatics and electrodynamics at the undergraduate level.^[3]

Early education

H. C. Verma spent most of his childhood in Patna. He was trained with basic arithmetic by his father Shri Ganesh Prasad Verma, a teacher. Verma has been through the sweet and sour experiences of India's school education system, and this gave him low interest towards studies throughout his school years; until high school, due to which he even struggled to pass his exams. After he graduated high school, he entered Patna Science College, which was a place that moulded this normal school boy into a confident and bright adolescent.^[4]

Formative years

Patna Science College's environment was totally different than his former school. The teachers were bright, enthusiastic and encouraging. As a student who struggled for passing marks was changed into a third place student in Patna University, receiving a B.Sc. (Honours) degree in Physics. From 1975 to 1977, Verma joined the IIT Kanpur for a M.Sc. and was placed as a top student with a performance index of 9.9 out of 10.0. He then chose to remain at IIT Kanpur for his doctorate. Verma received a PhD degree in less than three years.

Career

Patna Science College

In 1980, Verma joined the reputed Patna Science College as a lecturer. He was then asked to teach students at various levels including students at 11th and 12th standard. He noticed that even top students in class were unable to appreciate and enjoy the concepts of physics. He contemplated and realized that problem lies in connecting students with the text book he was following (Fundamentals of Physics by Resnick and Halliday, which inspired him a lot when he read it during his M. Sc.) The reason was language and cultural differences. The young students from Rural background were entangled into language of the book and lose interest before they could reach the concept and its beauty. He could not find an authentic book that makes concepts of physics enjoyable to young Indian students. This motivated him to write the book "Concepts of Physics". This book was a huge success. The reasons for book's success are authenticity, simple language, interesting numerical examples, and connection with Indian culture. The book succeeded in exposing beauty of physics to Indian students. Dr. Verma spent eight years of his life in writing Concepts of Physics. His book is used by almost all the students preparing for IIT-JEE (Joint Entrance Examination). This was a great gift he gave to Indian students, science, and society. He remained in Patna Science college for almost 15 years before coming to IIT Kanpur.

IIT Kanpur

Dr. Verma joined IIT Kanpur in 1994 as assistant professor. Here, he taught many courses, guided M. Sc. and PhD students, authored a book "Quantum Physics", and pursued research in experimental nuclear physics. While at IIT Kanpur, apart from his regular assignments, he took many socio-educational initiatives for the benefit of education and society. Some of these initiatives are School Physics Project, Siksha Sopan, and Utsahi Physics Teachers. He retired from formal teaching on 30 June 2017, after 38 years in Teaching Physics.

Books

• Concepts of Physics Part-1, Bharati Bhawan Publishers & Distributors, 1992, ISBN 8177091875
• Concepts of Physics Part-2, Bharati Bhawan Publishers & Distributors, 1992, ISBN 8177092324
• Quantum Physics, Surya Publication, ISBN 9788192571409
• Foundation Science Physics for class 9, Bharati Bhawan Publishers & Distributors, ISBN 9788177097313
• Foundation Science Physics for class 10, Bharati Bhawan Publishers & Distributors, ISBN 9350270064

Video recordings

• Nuclear Physics: Fundamentals and Applications (organised by National Program for Technology Enhanced Learning, NPTEL)

References