Pune, 20 May (HS): Renowned Indian astrophysicist Dr

Jayant Naralikar passed away at his residence in Pune. He died in his sleep due

to old age, his family members confirmed. He was 86. Dr Naralikar was

internationally recognised for his work and equally known for his engaging Marathi

science fiction writing. He had a unique ability to explain difficult

scientific concepts in a simple and beautiful language.

Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur to renowned

Mathematician Vishnu Wasudev Narakila and Sanskrit scholar Sumati Naralikar, he

completed his school education in Varanasi and a bachelor’s degree in science. He

then moved to Cambridge University to postgraduate degree. He also did a BA,

MA, and PhD and became a Wrangler and Tyson medallist in the Mathematical

Tripos.

He joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

in 1072. The UGC invited him in 1988 to set up the Inter-University Centre for

Astronomy and Astrophysics as its founder director.Under his leadership the IUCAA acquired a

worldwide reputation as a centre of excellence in astronomy and astrophysics.

Besides research, Dr Naralikar was popular as a

science communicator through his books and programmes on Radio and

Television.He wrote science fiction

stories. His books in Marathi ‘Antaralatil Bhasmasur’. ‘Antaral Ani Vidnyan’, ‘Akashashi

Jadle Naate’, ‘Suryacha Prakop’ etc are very popular. He was honoured with a

large number of national and international awards for his research and writing.

He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar