India's Contribution to Science & Technology

[Vayutuvan]

Bala gaaru

I leave a link to a PDF here. This one is open access. Not all MAA articles are open access. but many important ones are.

https://maa.org/sites/default/files/pdf ... 44-656.pdf

[bala]

If you go back into history about science, math and so forth you see the silliness and shaky western foundations. Many of the stories are false. Pythagoras, Euclid etc are figments of imagination. Christianity and, by extension, Church have often indulged in plagiarism and forgery in effort to establish its supremacist and dogmatic doctrine. Prof C.K.Raju has often challenged many "well established" "facts".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBcLc3qLvkE

Unfortunately Indians are too colonialised (education, culture from the Britshits) to follow the brilliant prof CK Raju. Instead they spew vitriol of highest kind. Indian system of thought accepts 'pratyaksh praman' even while being aware of its fallibility (snake being mistaken for rope). The idea of axiomatic proof being superior to empirical is an import from christian theology as science accepts observation, experimentation, testing & evidence all of which fall in the category of 'pratyaksh praman'. If prayaksh or direct observation is fallible then science is not possible. At best we can say science is fallible or falsifiable when a new explanation arrives. Look at the big bang theory and the shambles it is in after James Webb Telescope sightings. Then there are theories on black holes (Steven Hawkings ilk) and such which one can never prove or be certain. Another example: gravity is believed by all students even before they do the pendulum experiment. Many students do not understand pendulum experiment but believed in gravity. Hence sabda praman (word as authority) preferred option especially for science is widely prevalent in today's world. Bertrand Russell wrote a 350+ page proof to axiomatically prove 1+1 = 2. See how tedious it can become. Indians for long used Sabda praman primarily for spiritual knowledge as these were purely subjective experiences which could not be demonstrated to 'others'. Then there is Godel Theorem which states that any system based on axioms has statements that cannot be proven to be either true or false definitively.

[Vayutuvan]

bala garu,

It is estimated that it would take about one trillion symbols to define 1. Look for a paper on Proof Assistants by Gaunthier of Miscrosoft. I don't have the refrence ready at hand.

[sanman]

[Amber G.]

Glad to know - may write some more in this thread but i am overjoyed ..
MS Swaminathan is awarded BHATAT-RATNA!!!!

People who have lived through the period of PL 480 during which we were surviving from grain ship to grain ship, never mind that the wheat was red wheat, can better appreciate his contribution to Bharat and food security.

May he attain moksha!

Thanks. Virtually all in scientific field as well as normal decent people are sad. He was deeply respected.


For those who are genuinely interested in welfare of India (and the world) and want to know more about Prof Swaminathan & his work, here is a good thread: by none other than Prof. K. Vijay Raghavan

With M.S. Swaminathan’s passing, we have lost a great scientist. There are many scientists whose life spans roles as researchers, institution-builders, technocrats, policy-makers, and humanists. Swaminathan is unique in doing all of these roles superbly and with élan.

For those who do not know Prof. Raghavan he is Principal Scientific Adviser to Modi. . He is a FRS, Padma Sri, Infosys Prize winner, Associate of the US National Academy of Sciences. A engineer from my alma mater IIT Kanpur, but holds PhD in Molecular Biology and has respect both in USA and India. Certainly more credible than Lahori Logic worshipping crowd among some of the posters in this dhaga.

I am disappointed but not surprised by deluge of some of the posts even in this dhaga by people whose Lahori logic and tendency to trash anything decent in science would make experts in Jihnn Thermodynamics look sane. /sigh/

Meanwhile, When some usual troll asked this Lahori Logic question:

Curious to know what was staple food before green revolution.

A leading control theorist and a FRS, a Distinguished Professor in Electrical Engineering at IIT Hyderabad. Previously Chair of Systems Biology Science at the University of Texas at Dallas. an ex t director of Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR), a DRDO defence lab in Bangalore... and whose SUTRA graphs I have posted in BRF repled:

Stravation

[A_Gupta]

> Pythagoras, Euclid etc are figments of imagination.

> The idea of axiomatic proof being superior to empirical is an import from christian theology as science accepts observation, experimentation, testing & evidence all of which fall in the category of 'pratyaksh praman'.

With such rampant misinformation, India is ready to become Vishva Buddhu.

PS: Apart from watching someone's youtube, what pratyaksh pramaan do you have for all that is written in the above post?

[bala]

^^
Please read Baudhayana's Sulba Sutra बौधायन शुल्बसूत्र in Sanskrit for all that is attributed to pythagoras. The Shulba Sutras are part of the larger corpus of texts called the Shrauta Sutras, considered to be appendices to the Vedas.

The rule stated in the Baudhāyana Śulbasūtra is:

दीर्घचतुरस्रस्याक्ष्णया रज्जुः पार्श्वमानी तिर्यग् मानी च यत् पृथग् भूते कुरूतस्तदुभयं करोति ॥
dīrghachatursrasyākṣaṇayā rajjuḥ pārśvamānī, tiryagmānī, cha yatpṛthagbhūte kurutastadubhayāṅ karoti.
The diagonal of an oblong produces by itself both the areas which the two sides of the oblong produce separately.

The Indus-Sarasvati civilization shows altars, triangles, circles and other intricate geometry structures that without a basic understanding of geometry you cannot create the structures.

On so-called Euclid:
The book, THE ELEMENTS, first English version of Euclid's Elements, 1570 by Charles Thomas-Stanford introduces all the known writings in Greece/Egypt on math (mainly a regurgitation of knowledge from India). Almost nothing is known of Euclid's life. We do not know the years or places of his birth and death. Effectively Euclid is a made up name by a Brit. The Elements is a collection of many of greek Eudoxus's theorems and many of greek Theaetetus. Ancient Babylonians and Egyptians also knew a lot of mathematics, including the Pythagorean theorem.

[Amber G.]

^^^ Responding to above in the math dhaga

[Amber G.]

> Pythagoras, Euclid etc are figments of imagination.

> The idea of axiomatic proof being superior to empirical is an import from christian theology as science accepts observation, experimentation, testing & evidence all of which fall in the category of 'pratyaksh praman'.

With such rampant misinformation, India is ready to become Vishva Buddhu.

PS: Apart from watching someone's youtube, what pratyaksh pramaan do you have for all that is written in the above post?

As I have said before, IMO, People like Prof C.K.Raju are total fraud.

[bala]

Western Bias Against Indian Scientists - The Greats Who Did Not Get Nobel Prize | Ravi Kumar RSS
on Jaipur Dialogues of Sanjay Dixit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_ahDIHaaE0

Ravi Kumar asserts many Indians were not recognized by the Nobel Committee. Many of them include JC Bose, SN Bose, George Sudarshan (he deserved multiple Nobel Prize - one blatantly stolen by a Harvard Charlatan, harvard produces a fair number of crooks, Bill Gates is one, Obummer, etc). George Sudarshan contributed so many pioneering topics - V-A theory, Tachyons, Quantum Zeno effect, Open quantum system, Spin-statistics theorem, non-invariance groups, positive maps of density matrices, quantum computation. Marconi stole radio from JC Bose. Narinder N Kapany who invented optical fiber is ignored and fiber optics is the backbone of fast network. Europe was a racist conglomeration and they still are in pockets.

Most ideas of importance came from Bharat - decimal system, entire math basis (just imagine doing this in Roman numerals! yikes), algebra, trignometry, calculus. In physics Bharat knew long long back about planets, sun, moon, earth motion, reference stars (nakshatras). Arab scholars all acknowledged their source as Bharat. The Christian missionaries stole left, right and center and claimed everything for themselves, stealing is deeply ingrained in their DNA. Newton stole entire Vaisheshka sutra, kerala calculus, infinity series and more.

[Aldonkar]

Western Bias Against Indian Scientists - The Greats Who Did Not Get Nobel Prize | Ravi Kumar RSS
on Jaipur Dialogues of Sanjay Dixit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_ahDIHaaE0

Ravi Kumar asserts many Indians were not recognized by the Nobel Committee. Many of them include JC Bose, SN Bose, George Sudarshan (he deserved multiple Nobel Prize - one blatantly stolen by a Harvard Charlatan, harvard produces a fair number of crooks, Bill Gates is one, Obummer, etc). George Sudarshan contributed so many pioneering topics - V-A theory, Tachyons, Quantum Zeno effect, Open quantum system, Spin-statistics theorem, non-invariance groups, positive maps of density matrices, quantum computation. Marconi stole radio from JC Bose. Narinder N Kapany who invented optical fiber is ignored and fiber optics is the backbone of fast network. Europe was a racist conglomeration and they still are in pockets.

Most ideas of importance came from Bharat - decimal system, entire math basis (just imagine doing this in Roman numerals! yikes), algebra, trignometry, calculus. In physics Bharat knew long long back about planets, sun, moon, earth motion, reference stars (nakshatras). Arab scholars all acknowledged their source as Bharat. The Christian missionaries stole left, right and center and claimed everything for themselves, stealing is deeply ingrained in their DNA. Newton stole entire Vaisheshka sutra, kerala calculus, infinity series and more.

Just a couple of comments. In the west the number system 1,2 .3 etc is called the arabic system. In the Arab countries, it is called correctly as the Hindu system. Apparently, the Crusaders came into contact with these numbers among Arabs during the Crusades and assumed that the Arabs had invented them.

In fibre optics, I had never heard of Narinder Kampany, despite being an electronics engineer. In the UK, the credit for fibre optics is given to Charles Kao and George Hockham of STC a British telecommunications company who I worked for briefly. Interestingly Narinder Kampany did his work at Imperial College which is relatively close to where STC was located and his work predates Kao and Hockham who were awarded the Nobel prize for their work. Kao earned his BSc at University College London while working at STL (a subsidiary of STC) and later returned to Hong Kong.

I was aware of the two Bose scientists. It seems that the Nobel committee had a significant bias against any developments outside the "developed" world.

[Amber G.]

Thanks!

In fibre optics, I had never heard of Narinder Kampany, despite being an electronics engineer. In the UK, the credit for fibre optics is given to Charles Kao and George Hockham of STC a British telecommunications company who I worked for briefly.

I first heard of Narinder Kampay in 1960 or so (I was in high school) with a article on fiber optics in Vigyan , (from renowned physicist Prof. Mehta).. also there was an article in Scientific American about Fiber optics. I wrote several posts about him in this and physics dhaga. (Known his colleagues, family etc, very well).

I was glad that he got honored with Padma Vishshan . See my post in this dhaga here:
viewtopic.php?p=2523312#p2523312

I was also glad to know Dr. Narinder Sing Kapany was honored with padma Vibhushan this year.

(I mentioned him *many* times in Physics dhaga - One of the Indian (/American) scientist who did not get Nobel bud deserved to.



President Kovind presents Padma Vibhushan to Dr Narinder Kapany (Posthumous) for Science and Engineering. Known as the father of fibre optics, Dr Kapany was a scientist, academician, entrepreneur, passionate collector of Sikh art and philanthropist.

(I posted this about a year ago here in Physics Dhaga:
>>Another famous scientist, Narinder S. Kapany, ‘Father of Fiber Optics,’ Died recently. He was 94 years old.
Several times I have mentioned him in Physics or other dhaga's here in Brf about his work.

He never won a Nobel, but was one of the great pioneer/engineer who as a an young Engineer at Cornig did pioneering work to make fiber optics a success. Fortune named him one of seven 'Unsung Heroes' in their 'Businessmen of the Century' issue in 1999.

.

[/quote]
Here is older post, many years ago:
viewtopic.php?p=2305024&hilit=Narinder#p2305024

Contribution by another famous Indian Scientist is in News. - Fiber Optics!

I have mentioned this person's work in Physics dhaga over the years and this article is from MIT's recent @techreview.
(First time I read about Dr Narinder Kapany was an article by Dr M, L. Mehta in Vigyan in 1960! There was a Scientific article too. (BTW I still have the old copy of Vigyan )

Anyway I hope you like the article:



The Indian Physicist who Bent Light

[Amber G.]

I was aware of the two Bose scientists...

Thanks. In this dhaga (or in physics).. please read some interesting posts (and some of rare pictures) of Three Bose's!

Let me post again American Institute of Physics - Emilio Segrè Visual Archive

How many can you identify?..No one won ..but many were nominated for Nobel..

There is one in the picture who was nominated 8 times, another 4 times and the third, the most famous of all, was a polymath, physicist, biologist, botanist and archaeologist, and an early writer of science fiction but is perhaps best known as an Electrical Engineer and father of "radio science" .

[Amber G.]

Allow me to post a story about the other Bose..

In 1920 Mahatma Gandhi had declared the Non Cooperation movement. There was excitement & fervor in the air. A lot of young Indians took part in peaceful demonstrations, across India.
One of those young Indians, was a boy studying Physics in Calcutta Univ. His name was Noni Gopal.
Young Noni took part in a small but loud demonstration against the British Rule, near Elgin road,Calcutta. He was also the person, who wrote the pamphlet against the British Rule, distributed by the protestors that day. Young Noni had his final exams in 2 weeks.
After the peaceful protest - he returned back home and was studying in his room, when Calcutta Police came to Noni’s house and arrested him.

He was duly presented to a Magistrate the next morning and sent to Prison.
Noni missed his exams. A few days later, while being taken to Court for a hearing, with a few other under-trial revolutionaries, Noni managed to escape.

With the help of a few friends, relatives&well-wishers, Noni reached Madras &managed to board a ship sailing to America.
Young Noni Gopal reached Ellis Island near New York with an equivalent of just $5 in his pocket& no identity papers. Those were different days-he was welcomed in.

There was an active community of Indians including the likes of Haridas Gayadeen,Sailendra Nath Ghose,Sarat Mukerjee
And the famous Taraknath Das, of the Ghadar Party in North America - who helped young Noni settle down in Philadelphia.
Noni started a small Radio Repair shop &fell in love with a local school teacher named Charlotte.
She was an American of French-German descent&was interested in Vedanta philosophy.They got married.

Life went well - Noni continued to support the activities of the Indian revolutionaries back home in India.
9 years after Noni escaped from Calcutta Police,
in 1929 - Noni & Charlotte had a son - they named him Amar.

Amar grew up in a household that valued education - as a kid, he loved tinkering in his father’s Radio repair workshop.
Amar went on to study at MIT - and become an assistant professor there after completing his PhD.

As a professor - Amar was granted a few patents in areas including Loudspeaker design, which eventually became the basis of his new start-up.
This small start-up, founded by the son of an Indian fugitive&revolutionary with virtually no money, went on to become a global brand, directly employing over 11,000 people, making Amar the 271st richest man in the world.

His brand was loved by the likes of Steve Jobs
His products are used around the world in Concert Halls, Music Studios and even public institutions like NASA, The Vatican, the American House of representatives and the Parliament of India.
This is the story of Indian Revolutionary, Late Shri Noni Gopal Bose &his son, Late Dr. Amar Gopal Bose of the

Bose Corporation.

Had the British Controlled Calcutta police not jailed a young student of the Calcutta University in 1920 - perhaps the world would’ve never got t

[bala]

IMHO, India needs to come up with its own list of "Nobel prize winners", the MahaVidwan/VishwaVidwan prize. Put together a team of experts in Physics/Chemistry/Economics/Literature/Geopolitics and come with a new list of actual deserving original contributors irrespective of nationality. De-recognize the Nobel list and charlatans like Roy J. Glauber (chutiya par excellence) who blatantly stole Sudarshan's work first by criticizing it and then stealing it point blank. Just don't understand how the US can tolerate such nonsense by one of their own kind. This list is published/made worldwide accessible/marketed and being a VishwaMitra the Global south nations, arab nations, etc will immediately acknowledge. Screw the Nobel committee.

BTW look up Nobel Azerbaijan and see the connection of deep state and the wealth of Nobel brothers.

[bala]

The Glorious Scientific Traditions of Ancient India | Facts of Indian Sciences | Prof. Subhash Kak

Western Education System and the resultant Colonization of our minds have led to the Indian Knowledge System and their Scientific foundations being clearly wiped off from our curriculum. Therefore, in this discussion we have tried to highlight the scientific developments in Ancient India and the Role it has played in the development of Modern Science. A complete recap of many great Authors/Maharishis over 1000s of years. The Arabs recognized that India/Bharat was the leader in science and math throughout the world.

Prof Kak talks about the immense contribution of India towards math and science. People like Maharishi Kanaad Vaisesika Sutra blazed a trail in physics, chemistry, nuclear and many more subjects (all done in BC era!). All Newton's laws are a straight lift from Kanaad with a hilarious tale of apple falling upon the head. Prof Kak talks about Tesla and Vivekananda (matter can be converted to energy), he says before Einstein e=mc^2 was well known, talks about Dr ECG Sudarshan (I have him as the actual winner of 2 nobel prizes not the charlatans who stole his work). Dr Kak talks about consciousness and the Triangle of observer: samanya - universal, vishesha - where the observer is wrt to object, samavaya - observer and observed interact; inherence. These are missing in Western science.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgR4nt7ByfI

Britshit Macaulay who very intentionally broke up the Indian gurukul system by closing down, sacking the acharyas and usurping the system of education in Bharat. What came out is a poor imitation wherein a select few could avail the new fangled Brit Education in Angrez. This caused an instant divide in the Indian society - those who were angrez educated and the rest. Another divide! Today India is reeling from the system which does not really prepare great original thinkers, at most people go through the motion of pretending to learn, rote based exams do nothing and a huge cultural void. I can confidently say the western system adds no value in a person's ability to get gyan and satisfaction. No one remembers any of the equations taught, they cannot derive them from first principles and when the offspring asks a question about their homework the parent is stumped (I did not learn this stuff son/daughter!). Such shallow learning but we have degrees to boast about.

[Amber G.]

xpost from physics dhaga:

Shrinivas R Kulkarni, a professor of astronomy f be bestowed the prestigious Shaw Prize in Astronomy for his ground-breaking discoveries about millisecond pulsars, gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and other variable or transient astronomical objects.
Prof Kulkarni, is an IIT Delhi alum (physics), He is a professor of Astronomy and Planetary Sciences at Caltech. Among other honors he is Andrew D. White Professor-at-large, Cornell University and e JRD Tata Chair Professor at TIFR,

Conrats Prof Kulkarni!

[Amber G.]

From archives:
Name this Padma Vibhushan .. mentioned many times in BRF..
(He was a professor at UC Santa Cruz and a philanthropist who supported Sikh culture and studies among other things)

[Vayutuvan]

Kapany, inventor of optical fibre?

[Amber G.]

^^^ Yes..He was the first to demonstrate the transmission of high-quality images through a bundle of optical fibers, which revolutionized the fields of communications, medicine, and engineering.

He coined the term ‘fiber optics’ in 1960 and wrote the first book on the subject. He also founded several companies in Silicon Valley and held over 100 patents ..
( I first leaned about him around 1960 by an article on Fiber optics by Prof M L Mehta..and was glad that he was finally honored by Padma Vibhushan after his death..


See for example viewtopic.php?p=2614044#p2614044

[A_Gupta]

FYI: https://phys.org/news/2005-10-founding- ... nce%201804.

[Amber G.]

X-post from physics dhaga - along with Kapany, ECG Sudardashan - Prof CL Mehta from the same group among U or R physicists who worked together ..

In Memory of CL Mehta and his contributions - <article by one of his student - in physics dhaga >

[Amber G.]

According to a newly published article, two astronomers, Mayank Vahia of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Mumbai and Mitsuru Soma of the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan, have identified the oldest known reference to a total solar eclipse in the Rigveda, dating back approximately 6000 years. (Some still insists that RigVeda was written in 1500 BC ) The passage describes the eclipse as the sun being "Pierced" (viddha) by darkness and gloom, and attributes the sun's disappearance to the "magic arts" (māyā)

The Rigveda mentions the vernal equinox occurring in म्रुगशीर (Mrugashira, Orion) and कृत्तिका (Krittika, Pleiades), allowing astronomers to date these events. Due to the Earth's axial precession, the vernal equinox has shifted over time, occurring in म्रुगशीर around 4500 B.C. and in कृत्तिका around 2230 B.C.



The earliest written reference in Indian astronomy to a total solar eclipse is in the Rig Veda where Rishi Atri is said to have demolished the asura Swarbhanu to liberate the Sun from a total solar.

The Rig Veda describes the occurrence of the eclipse, how the Sun suddenly disappeared in the daytime under the spell of the Asura. The people and gods were scared but the Great Sage Atri saved the Sun and restored his full glory. While discussing the eclipse, Tilak refers to the eclipse as having occurred when the Vernal Equinox was in Orion.

Based on these data, they identify ‘Atri’s eclipse’ as the one that occurred on 22 October 4202 BC or on 19 October 3811 BC.

This discovery highlights the ancient Indians' advanced knowledge of astronomy and their ability to record and pass down this knowledge through generations. The Rigveda's references to astronomical events demonstrate its significance as a historical and scientific text.

I like these kind of articles based on solid astronomical basis rather than *many* which are not.
(Credit: Recent article, some personal comments)

[Amber G.]

xpost: (From Physics dhaga)
Om Shanti.

In Memoriam: Dr. Rohini Godbole (1952-2024)

[Amber G.]

Infosys 2024 prizes are announced. I put separate posts in other dhagas.

[Amber G.]

Infosys 2024 prizes are announced. I put separate posts in other dhagas.
(Winners will be felicitated in a ceremony on January 11 2025.)
Congratulations to all.

[Amber G.]

Sad -- Breaking news:
R Chidambaram, one the most decorated scientists of our era, an outstanding Science administrator and a fine gentleman, we will miss you. Om Shanti.


Here is a photo of Dr. Chidambaram, along with Dr. Kalam, PM Vajpayee and RM George Fernandes, at the Shakti series of nuclear tests in 1998. (Photo Credit/HT: from SM post in an IIT prof)

Here is old post with his photo in physics dhaga:

Here it is being unveiled by Dr. Chidambaram (former PSA to GoI) at OYC building of DAE Secretariat in Mumbai.
(The original photograph has been digitally remastered and painted by Shri Kailash Gharat of BARC. This painting will continue to inspire the scientific fraternity).
(L to R) walking through Marquand Park in Princeton, N.J., in 1954 : Albert Einstein, Hideki Yukawa, John Wheeler, and Homi J. Bhabha....

[Amber G.]

Dr. Ramgopal Rao -after having served as a Council member of all the major Indian Science and Engineering academies, is elected as a 𝐕𝐢𝐜𝐞-𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 for the prestigious 𝐈𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐜𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬 (IASc) for 2025-2027. IASc was established by Sir C V Raman with his Nobel prize money.

[Vayutuvan]

D. V. Ramgopal Rao from his LinkedIn page:

Govt RID Junior College Kollapur (Telangana) (Telugu medium
Jun 1980 - Jun 1982
Grade: Distinction
Govt Upper Primary School Kollapur (Telangana) (Telugu medium)
1-10th standard
Jun 1970 - Apr 1980
Grade: First class throughout

Heartening to see English medium is not all that it is trumped up to be.

I also studied in Telugu medium Govt. schools and colleges. 1963-1973 and 1973-1975, all over Ap and TG.

[sanjaykumar]

China’s S&T development has accelerated enormously in the last few years.

Quantum communication. Far side lunar landing Mars landing. EV batteries. Highest fusion temperature. Desktop AI peer competitor to ChatGPT. Longest space walk. Own space station. Fastest train.
Some cities that make Canadian cities look like backwater dumps.

That’s what $ 1 trillion dollar surpluses can achieve.

By the time India approaches these accomplishments, they may have an insurmountable lead.

The best may be to ally unreservedly with the US. Not for military crumbs. But to grow rich. Like China and Japan and Korea and Taiwan. All without exception have had a deep alliance with the US.


Sincerely,

Worried.

Great White North.

[Amber G.]

Heard the news: Prof. Ashutosh Sharma will be conferred with the Padma Shri 2025 for his distinguished service in the field of Nanosciences and Nanotechnology.

I have mentioned Prof Sharma many times in BRF. I am proud and happy to hear the news.

Prof. Sharma, a visionary academician and alumnus of IITK (BT/CHE/1982), is the Institute Chair Professor & Founding Coordinator of DST Thematic Unit of Excellence on Soft Nanofabrication at IIT Kanpur since 2006, and served as the Secretary, Department of Science and Technology, Government of India from 2015-2021. He is a recipient of the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award in engineering sciences for his "original pioneering contribution to the understanding of the behaviour of thin films and other highly confined nanoscale systems."

Prof. Manindra Agrawal, Director IIT Kanpur, congratulates Prof. Sharma, saying, “It is a matter of immense pride for the Institute. Prof. Ashutosh Sharma is an exceptional researcher, and has made path-breaking contributions as Secretary DST, including a radically different way of running mission mode programs.”

A huge congratulations to Prof. Ashutosh Sharma.

[Amber G.]

xpost:
Om Shanti. We mourn the passing of Padma Vibhushan Dr. K. Kasturirangan — a visionary leader who shaped India’s space and education landscape with wisdom, dedication, and humility. As the former head of ISRO, he guided India’s space programme to global acclaim, pioneering landmark satellite missions and championing innovation.

His contributions transcended science — they helped define a modern, forward-looking India. We honor his legacy and extend our deepest condolences.

[Amber G.]

Om Shanti - Professor Narlikar who showed what science in service of society really looks like!


Padma Vibhushan Jayant Narlikar was more than a respected astrophysicist—he was a mentor and a steady influence on many of us who came to physics and math with questions bigger than just equations. I first encountered his work as a student, and it shaped how I thought about cosmology and the role of science in society.

He had a strong career at Cambridge, working closely with Fred Hoyle, and knew people like Penrose and Hawking. He could have stayed on in the UK or the U.S. without difficulty. But he chose to come back to India, and that choice shaped the landscape of Indian astronomy.

He founded IUCAA and helped create a space where research, education, and public engagement could grow together. He wrote a great deal—textbooks, research, and also science for general readers, in both English and Indian languages. That effort to connect science to a wider audience, especially outside of English-speaking circles, stayed with me.

His way of thinking, his clarity, and his commitment to science as a public good had a lasting effect on those of us who were lucky enough to learn from him, directly or indirectly.

He inspired so many of us to think bigger, to value clarity, and to never separate science from people.

Toi:
Noted astrophysicist Jayant Narlikar passes away at 87 in Pune after brief illness

--
Narendra Modi @narendramodi

The passing of Dr. Jayant Narlikar is a monumental loss to the scientific community. He was a luminary, especially in the field of astrophysics. His pioneering works, especially key theoretical frameworks will be valued by generations of researchers. He made a mark as an institution builder, grooming centres of learning and innovation for young minds. His writings have also gone a long way in making science accessible to common citizens. Condolences to his family and friends in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.

.

[Amber G.]

Also Om Shanti - Remembering the legacy of Dr. M R Srinivasan, a pioneer and doyen of India's nuclear power program. His contributions, from working on India's first nuclear research reactor Apsara to leading the development of 18 power units, have been instrumental in shaping the country's nuclear energy landscape. A true nation-builder and mentor to many, his passing leaves a void in the scientific community. May his legacy continue to inspire future generations of scientists and engineers

[Amber G.]

Sharing:

Indian Researchers Celebrate 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics

Indian physicists, part of key CERN experiments, have jointly won the prestigious 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics. The $3 million prize was awarded to four major collaborations at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider—ATLAS, CMS, ALICE, and LHCb—for discoveries made during Run-2 (2015–2024).

Their research deepened understanding of:

The Higgs boson

Quark-gluon plasma

Matter-antimatter asymmetry

Physics beyond the Standard Model

India’s contributions were part of these large international teams (e.g., 1,869 in ALICE alone). The award will fund doctoral student training, giving Indian students hands-on research experience at CERN, with the goal of building future scientific expertise back home.