Childhood
Professor Naresh Dadhich was born on September 1, 1944, in the village of Sarsali in Churu district, Rajasthan. The village did not even have a school and he had to travel to study. After completing his schooling, he went to the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS), Pilani (Rajasthan), for higher education. He continued his higher studies at Vallabh Vidyanagar and Pune. His keen interest in fundamental physics led him to obtain a Ph.D. in General Relativity from the University of Pune under the supervision of Professor V.V. Narlikar.
Career
Professor Dadhich began his academic career in 1971 as a member of the Mathematics Department at the University of Pune. In 1988, he was invited to draft the project report for the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), working closely with Professor Jayant Narlikar in shaping the vision for a world-class centre for university-based astronomy research. He served as the Director of IUCAA from July 2003 to August 2009 and continues to be associated with the institute as an Emeritus Professor.
Over the course of his distinguished career, he has published more than 300 research papers in leading international journals in collaboration with numerous students and colleagues. His research interests include gravitation, black holes, energy extraction processes, higher-dimensional gravity, and brane-world cosmology. He has been actively involved in the global scientific community through leadership roles in various international and national societies.
Personal
In addition to his research contributions, Professor Dadhich is deeply committed to the communication of science. He has delivered numerous lectures aimed at demystifying scientific concepts and engaging with broader audiences on issues that connect science and society. He is also associated with social and environmental initiatives and is known for his thoughtful engagement in discussions on science, philosophy, and social responsibility.
He is survived by his wife, Sadhana Dadhich, who is a noted social-activist working with tribal and environmental groups near Bhimashankar in the Pune district. The couple have two children: a son, Nishith Dadhich, and a daughter, Juee Dadhich.
Awards
Professor Dadhich has received several recognitions for his scientific and academic contributions. He was awarded the Gold Medal for securing the highest marks in his M.Sc. from Sardar Patel University, Vallabh Vidyanagar. He served as the President of the Indian Association for General Relativity and Gravitation (1994–1996) and as a Council Member of the International Society for General Relativity and Gravitation (2001–2010). He has been conferred the title of Honorary Research Professor by the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa, and several of his papers have received Honourable Mentions in the Gravity Research Foundation Essay Competitions.