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| Prof. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, renowned Astrophysicist and founder director of IUCAA passes away in Pune | ||
Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, an internationally renowned Indian astrophysicist, a visionary, and a passionate science communicator passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence in Pune on May 20, 2025. He was 86. Dr. Narlikar’s passing marks the end of an extraordinary chapter in Indian science. Over the course of a remarkable career, he made groundbreaking contributions to cosmology, challenged prevailing scientific orthodoxy, and dedicated himself to making science accessible to the broader public. He is best known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity-an alternative to Einstein’s general relativity-and for championing the steady-state theory of the universe, a bold counterpoint to the widely accepted Big Bang model.
Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Dr. Narlikar hailed from a family steeped in academia. His father, Vishnu Vasudev Narlikar, was a renowned mathematician and his mother, Sumati Narlikar, was a scholar of Sanskrit language. Dr. Narlikar pursued his early education in Varanasi before moving to the University of Cambridge, where he completed his Ph.D. under the mentorship of Sir Fred Hoyle.
Beyond his scientific endeavors, Dr. Narlikar was a prolific writer and communicator. He authored numerous books and articles in English, Hindi, and Marathi, aiming to make science accessible to the general public. His works ranged from advanced scientific treatises to science fiction, reflecting his commitment to fostering scientific temper across society.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Narlikar received numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 1965 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2004, India's third and second-highest civilian honors, respectively . He was also honored with the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the popularization of science in 1996 and the Prix Jules Janssen from the French Astronomical Society in 2004.
Dr. Narlikar is survived by his three daughters and their families. His last rites will be performed tomorrow, 21st May 2025. The mortal remains of Professor J. V. Narlikar will be kept at the Bhaskara Foyer in IUCAA during 11:15 - 12:00 noon tomorrow (21st May 2025) for public to pay their final respects.
His legacy as a scientist, educator, and communicator will endure, continuing to inspire both the scientific community and the public for generations to come.
Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, Maharashtra, Dr. Narlikar hailed from a family steeped in academia. His father, Vishnu Vasudev Narlikar, was a renowned mathematician and his mother, Sumati Narlikar, was a scholar of Sanskrit language. Dr. Narlikar pursued his early education in Varanasi before moving to the University of Cambridge, where he completed his Ph.D. under the mentorship of Sir Fred Hoyle.
Beyond his scientific endeavors, Dr. Narlikar was a prolific writer and communicator. He authored numerous books and articles in English, Hindi, and Marathi, aiming to make science accessible to the general public. His works ranged from advanced scientific treatises to science fiction, reflecting his commitment to fostering scientific temper across society.
Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Narlikar received numerous accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 1965 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2004, India's third and second-highest civilian honors, respectively . He was also honored with the UNESCO Kalinga Prize for the popularization of science in 1996 and the Prix Jules Janssen from the French Astronomical Society in 2004.
Dr. Narlikar is survived by his three daughters and their families. His last rites will be performed tomorrow, 21st May 2025. The mortal remains of Professor J. V. Narlikar will be kept at the Bhaskara Foyer in IUCAA during 11:15 - 12:00 noon tomorrow (21st May 2025) for public to pay their final respects.
His legacy as a scientist, educator, and communicator will endure, continuing to inspire both the scientific community and the public for generations to come.