Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray
Experts dismissed recent claims in the social media that Indian chemist, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray, was behind the discovery of hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine.
About
Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray was an Indian chemist, industrialist, historian, educationist and philanthropist born in 1861. He is considered as the Father of Chemical Sciences in India. He was the first person outside Europe to be honoured with a Chemical Landmark Plaque by the Royal Society of Chemistry.
Works in Chemistry
He worked in the field of nitrite chemistry and discovered mercurous nitrate- a toxic compound used in preparation of other mercury compounds. He also formulated a synthetic route for ammonium nitrite. He established the first modern chemical research school in India. He established the first pharmaceutical company in India- Bengal Chemicals and Pharmaceuticals.
Social Service
Prafulla Chandra Ray is also noted for his social service works. He organised the Bengal Relief Committee in 1923 after the floods. He made donations for the establishment of Nagarjuna Prize for incentivizing works in chemistry. He made contributions to Sadharan Brahmo Samaj, Indian Chemical Society and Brahmo Girls’ School.
