When the lecturer commenced his investigations, original research in
India was regarded as an impossibility. No proper laboratory existed,
nor was there any scientific manufactory for the construction of a
special apparatus. In spite of these difficulties it had been a matter
of gratification to the lecturer that the various investigations already
carried out at the Presidency College had done something for the
advancement of knowledge. The delicate instruments seen in operation at
the lecture, which had been regarded with admiration by many
distinguished scientific men in the West, were all constructed at the
College workshops by Indian mechanics.
It was also with pride that the lecturer referred to the co-operation of
his pupils and assistants, through whose help the extensive works,
requiring ceaseless labour by day and night, had been accomplished.
Doubt had been cast on the capacity of Indian students in the field of
science. From his personal experience Professor Bose bore testimony to
their special fitness in this respect. An intellectual hunger had been
created by the spread of education. An Indian student demanded something
absorbing to think about and to give scope for his latent energies. If
this could be done, he would betake himself ardently to research into
Nature, which could never end. There was room for such toilers who by
incessant work would extend the bounds of human knowledge.