Science and Tech: Former AEC chief Srinivasan and cosmologist Narlikar pass away
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Two towering personalities of Indian science and technology—Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, 95, and Dr J. V. Narlikar, 87—passed away on Monday in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra, respectively, due to age-related issues.
Veteran nuclear physicist and former Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) Chairman Dr. M. R. Srinivasan, who played a key role in India’s Indigenous nuclear energy program, passed away on Tuesday, his family said.
He is survived by wife and daughter.
“We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dr M. R. Srinivasan, former Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary, Department of Atomic Energy (DAE),” the family said in a statement, the media reported.
Srinivasan joined the DAE in September 1955 and began his distinguished career working alongside Dr Homi J. Bhabha on the construction of India’s first nuclear research reactor, Apsara, which achieved criticality a year later.
“In 1987, he was appointed Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. That same year, he became the Founder-Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL). Under his leadership, 18 nuclear power units were developed—seven of which were operational, seven under construction, and four in the planning stage.
In recognition of his outstanding contributions to India’s nuclear energy program, Dr Srinivasan was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second highest civilian honour, in 2015.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his death. “Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. M.R. Srinivasan, a stalwart of India’s nuclear energy programme. His instrumental role in developing critical nuclear infrastructure has been foundational to our being self-reliant in the energy sector,” he said in a post on X.
“He is remembered for his inspiring leadership of the Atomic Energy Commission. India will always be grateful to him for advancing scientific progress and mentoring many young scientists. My thoughts are with his family and friends in this sad hour. Om Shanti,” PM Modi said.
In another key loss to India, eminent cosmologist, astrophysicist, and science communicator Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar passed away in Pune on Tuesday, his family said.
A towering figure in Indian science, he 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 his family, Dr Narlikar died in his sleep early Tuesday morning. He had recently undergone hip surgery in a city-based hospital.
He is survived by three daughters.
PM Modi has condoled the loss and paid rich tributes to him.
He wrote in a post on X: “The passing of Dr. Jayant Narlikar is a monumental loss to the scientific community. He was a luminary, especially in the field of astrophysics.”
After graduating from the Banaras Hindu University (BHU), he developed the Theory of Continuous Creation of the Universe. The phrase “Narlikar-Hoyle-Bondi-Gold” refers to a cosmological model, the quasi-steady-state cosmology (QSSC), developed by Jayant Narlikar, Fred Hoyle, Hermann Bondi, and Thomas Gold. It represented a revision and refinement of the original steady-state theory. The QSSC combined elements of both the steady-state and Big Bang theories.
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.
Dr Narlikar joined 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 proposed Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) at Pune, as its Founder Director. The IUCAA acquired a worldwide reputation as a centre for excellence in teaching and research in astronomy and astrophysics.
Besides his scientific research, Dr Narlikar was well-known as a science communicator through his books, articles, and radio/TV programmes. He was also known for his science fiction stories, and was honoured by UNESCO in 1996 with the Kalinga Award for popular science works.
In 2014, the Sahitya Akademi, the premiere literary body in India, selected his autobiography for its highest prize in regional language (Marathi) writing.
