Jayant Narlikar, eminent astrophysicist, departs; he was 86
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Pune: Eminent astrophysicist Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, who attained international fame for the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity, died in Pune on Tuesday, family sources said. He was 86, reports PTI.
A towering figure in Indian science, Dr Narlikar was widely known for his pioneering contributions to cosmology, his efforts to popularise science, and for setting up premier research institutions in the country.
According to family sources, Dr Narlikar died in his sleep early Tuesday morning. His last rites will be conducted with full state honours, announced Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
Narlikar had recently undergone hip surgery in a city-based hospital.
He is survived by three daughters.
Born on July 19, 1938, Dr Narlikar completed his early education on the campus of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where his father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, was a professor and Head of the Mathematics Department, and then went to Cambridge for higher studies, becoming a Wrangler and Tyson Medalist in the Mathematical Tripos.
While in the United Kingdom, he developed, along with famous scientist and his doctoral adviser Fred Hoyle, the famous Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity.
He returned to India to join the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1972-1989), where, under his charge, the Theoretical Astrophysics Group expanded and acquired international standing.
In 1988, the University Grants Commission invited Dr Narlikar to set up the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) as its Founder Director.
He held the directorship of IUCAA until his retirement in 2003. Under his direction, IUCAA has acquired a worldwide reputation as a centre for excellence in teaching and research in astronomy and astrophysics. He was an Emeritus Professor at IUCAA.
Besides his scientific research, Dr Narlikar was well-known as a science communicator through his books, articles, and radio/TV programmes.
Dr Narlikar was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1965 at the young age of 26.
In 2004, he was awarded Padma Vibhushan, and the Maharashtra government honoured him with the state's highest civilian award, Maharashtra Bhushan, in 2011.
In 2014, the Sahitya Akademi, the premier literary body in India, selected his autobiography for its highest prize in regional language (Marathi) writing.