Renowned Astrophysicist Dr. Jayant Narlikar passes away at 86

      Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, an Astrophysicist also known as the father of Indian cosmology passed away at his Pune residence on Tuesday. He was 86.
      A pioneer in cosmology and a passionate science communicator, Dr. Narlikar was known not just for his intellect, but for his humility and deep commitment to making science accessible to everyone. His work with Sir Fred Hoyle led to the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity and the alternative cosmology which is a bold challenge to the Big Bang theory. In 1988, Dr. Narlikar founded the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, creating a hub for young Indian scientists. With his leadership, IUCAA grew into a world class institute that still carries his visionary spirit.
      Outside the lab, Dr. Narlikar was also a storyteller. Through his books and essays in English, Hindi, and Marathi, he created a passion for science in countless hearts. He was the recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan, and a Sahitya Akademi Award among many others. He is survived by his three daughters. His wife, mathematician Mangala Narlikar passed away in 2023.
      The news of his passing away sparked an outpouring of grief online as people paid homage to the man who brought universe closer to them. PM Narendra Modi expressed his condolences in a post on social media X. Academics from all over the globe remembered him as a bold thinker who dared to think beyond the conventional boundaries.