Former ISRO chairman and educationist icon Dr K Kasturirangan died in Bengaluru on Friday morning at the age of 84, officials said.
His last rites will be conducted at the Raman Research Institute on April 27, when the public can pay their respects. The news of his death brings to a close a remarkable chapter in India's scientific and academic history.
A life dedicated to science and education
Best known for chairing the committee that formulated the National Education Policy (NEP), Kasturirangan contributed to modern Indian education. His contribution through the NEP reflected his commitment to reform and access in education.
He was also the chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and the chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. He was devoted to bridging research and knowledge with society.
Previously, he was the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, under whose leadership there were significant space missions. He also served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003 to 2009, and performed an advisory function in the Planning Commission of India.
Forming policy with vision and leadership
Kasturirangan served as the director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, between 2004 and 2009. At the institute, he engaged in interdisciplinary research relating science, governance and development.
His steady hand and profound knowledge of public policy led him to be a guiding presence in national endeavors. From space exploration to schoolbooks, his vision left an enduring legacy.
Colleagues recall him as quiet-spoken but firm—a man who believed learning was a lifelong endeavour. His passing is mourned not only in labs and classrooms but in the classrooms of the future that he helped envision.
(Inputs From PTI)
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