Padma Vibhushan awardee Jayant Narlikar, eminent astrophysicist, dies at 87

Jayant Narlikar

Eminent astrophysicist, science communicator, and Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar passed away in Pune on Tuesday, as reported by family sources. He was 87 years old.

Dr Narlikar was a towering figure in Indian science, widely recognized for his pioneering contributions to cosmology, his efforts to popularize science, and for establishing premier research institutions in the country. According to family sources, he died peacefully in his sleep early Tuesday morning after recently undergoing hip surgery at a local hospital. He is survived by three daughters.

Who is Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlika? 

Born on July 19, 1938, Dr Narlikar completed his early education at Banaras Hindu University (BHU), where his father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, served as a professor and Head of the Mathematics Department. He later attended Cambridge University for higher studies, where he achieved the distinction of Wrangler and Tyson Medallist in the Mathematical Tripos.

Upon returning to India, Dr. Narlikar joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1972-1989). During his tenure, he expanded the Theoretical Astrophysics Group, which gained international recognition. In 1988, the University Grants Commission invited Dr Narlikar to establish the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), where he served as Founder Director until his retirement in 2003. Under his leadership, IUCAA earned a worldwide reputation as a center of excellence in teaching and research in astronomy and astrophysics. He was also an Emeritus Professor at IUCAA.

In 2012, Dr. Narlikar received a prize from the Third World Academy of Sciences for establishing a center for excellence in science. Apart from his scientific research, he was known as a science communicator through his numerous books, articles, and radio/TV programs. He also earned recognition for his science fiction stories.

For his contributions, Dr. Narlikar was honored by UNESCO in 1996 with the Kalinga Award for popular science works. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1965 at the young age of 26, and in 2004, he received the Padma Vibhushan. The Maharashtra government also honored him with the state's highest civilian award, the Maharashtra Bhushan, in 2011.

In 2014, the Sahitya Akademi, India's premier literary body, selected his autobiography for its highest prize in regional language (Marathi) writing.

(With agency inputs)