Dr. Bala Ram Joshi (1930–1993) was a Nepalese scientist and professor of physics who made significant contributions to the fields of science and technology of Nepal. His Ph.D. thesis at The University of Glasgow, ''Studies of orbital electron capture by scintillation counter methods'', thesis earned him the Thomson Prize at the University of Glasgow.

Early life and background

Joshi was born to Himalaya Raj Joshi and Chandra Kumari Joshi in 1987 BS in Dillibazaar,

Kathmandu Kathmandu () is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. As per the 2021 Nepal census, it has a population of 845,767 residing in 105,649 households, with approximately 4 mi ...

. His father died when he was just eight months old and his mother was just 15 years old. After the death of his father, Joshi was raised at his maternal grandparents' house in Dhoka Tole, Kathmandu where he completed his primary education. Later he was admitted to

Durbar High School Durbar High School () or Bhanu Higher Secondary School, opened in 1854 is the oldest English education school which publicly established English education system in the country. in Nepal located near Rani Pokhari, Kathmandu whereas the first schoo ...

Ranipokhari Rani Pokhari (; lit. queen's pond), originally known as Nhu Pukhu (; lit. new pond), is a historic artificial pond located in the heart of Kathmandu, Nepal. The square-shaped tank dates from the 17th century, and was built on the eastern side ...

, Kathmandu. He secured high ranks in his class and received many accolades. Joshi married

Angur Baba Joshi Angur Baba Joshi (; 15 August 1932 – 20 June 2020) was a Nepal, Nepali social activist and the first Nepalese woman principal. Joshi died in 2020 in Kathmandu, Nepal, aged 87. She is widely renowned as a progressive figure in Nepal's education ...

in 2000 B.S. Angur is also a well-known educator and social worker in Nepal. Their marriage was performed based on the then Nepali custom and tradition. At the time of marriage, Joshi was 12 years old and his wife then was 11 years old. The couple studied together and both of them passed the SLC (school leaving certificate) exam in 1948. After completion of their primary school level education, Joshi did his Intermediate in Science (I.Sc.) in 1950 and later on completed his Bachelor in Science in 1952. Similarly, he completed M. Sc in

Physics Physics is the scientific study of matter, its Elementary particle, fundamental constituents, its motion and behavior through space and time, and the related entities of energy and force. "Physical science is that department of knowledge whi ...

from

Banaras Hindu University Banaras Hindu University (BHU), formerly Benares Hindu University, is a collegiate, central, and research university located in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India, and founded in 1916. The university incorporated the Central Hindu College, ...

, Banaras, India in 1954.

Later life

After completion of his M.Sc. in 1954, Joshi returned to Nepal and began teaching at

Tri-Chandra College Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus () is a constituent campus of Tribhuvan University located in Ghantaghar, Kathmandu. Founded in 1918 by Chandra Shamsher Jang Bahadur Rana, Chandra Shumsher, it is the oldest institute of higher learning in Nepal. E ...

, Kathmandu. After three years, Joshi was nominated for a Ph.D.

fellowship A fellow is a title and form of address for distinguished, learned, or skilled individuals in academia, medicine, research, and industry. The exact meaning of the term differs in each field. In learned or professional societies, the term refers ...

under the Colombo Plan and subsequently traveled to the United Kingdom with his wife in 1957. During their educational settlement in the United Kingdom, Joshi studied at Glasgow University while his wife continued her education at

Oxford University The University of Oxford is a collegiate research university in Oxford, England. There is evidence of teaching as early as 1096, making it the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the second-oldest continuously operating u ...

. His Ph.D. studies culminated in his research presentation titled "Studies of Orbital Electron by Scintillation Counter Method." His presentation earned him the Thomson Award. He had also published several research articles in ''Proceedings of the Physical Society'' in London. In addition to these publications, he had published one research article in a scientific journal of Sweden. He was awarded

Madan Puraskar The Madan Puraskar () is a literary honor in Nepal which Madan Puraskar Guthi confers annually for an outstanding book in the Nepali language published within the calendar year. It is considered as the most prestigious literature award in Nepal. ...

in 1956 ( 2013 B.S.) for his book named ''Adhikbibhav Sthirbidhoot Utpadhak'' (''Ultra High Voltage Static Electric Generator'').

Dr. Bala Ram Joshi Award

Dr. Bala Ram Joshi's award (Dr Balaram Joshi Gyan Bigyan Puraskar) was initiated in his memory by his wife in 1996. The award honors outstanding contributions in the field of Science and Knowledge in Nepal.

Publications

* Studies of orbital electron capture by scintillation counter methods * On the Measurement of Orbital Electron Capture with particular reference to 131Cs * Orbital Electron Capture Ratio and Beta Spectrum of 204Tl * Internal Source Scintillation Spectrometry

References

{{Madan Puraskar 1930 births Nepalese scholars 1993 deaths Madan Puraskar winners Durbar High School alumni Nepalese scientists Banaras Hindu University alumni Alumni of the University of Glasgow