New Delhi/Pune, May 20 (UNI) Eminent astrophysicist Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, one of India’s best known astro-scientists, died in Pune on Tuesday.



He was 86 and is survived by three daughters. He passed away in sleep.



He was awarded Padma Vibhushan and Padma Bhushan for his contribution in the field of astrophysics.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the passing away of Prof Narlikar a ‘’monumental loss to the scientific community.’’



The Prime Minister said Prof Narlikar 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, the Prime Minister said in his condolence message.



He said Prof Narlikar had also gone a long way in making science accessible to common citizens.



The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting while paying tributes to Dr Narlikar, said he was a ‘’luminary’ in the field of astrophysics. ‘’His pioneering works, especially key theoretical frameworks will be valued by generation of researchers,’’ the Ministry said.



Maharashtra Governor C P Radhakrishnan while expressing grief at the death of Prof Narlikar said he had a rare gift of making complex scientific ideas accessible to the common man. Through his science fiction, short essays and newspaper articles, Prof Narlikar inspired generations of young minds to pursue science, the Governor said.

“I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Dr. Jayant Narlikar, a towering figure in the field of astrophysics, an author and an advocate of science popularization," the Governor said in a condolence message.

He said that as the founder of IUCAA in Pune, Dr. Narlikar made immense contributions to the advancement of scientific research and education in India.



"With his passing, the nation has lost a visionary sage-scientist,’’ the Governor said.

Prof Narlikar who was founder-director of the Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, is known for believing in an alternate model to the popular Big Bang theory for the origin of the universe.



An alumnus of Cambridge University and Banaras Hindu University, Prof Narlikar also worked at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research.

Born on July 19, 1938, in Kolhapur, his father Vishnu Vasudev Narlikar, was a famous mathematician and head of the Mathematics Department of Banaras Hindu University. His mother Sumati was a Sanskrit scholar.

After completing his schooling in Varanasi, Jayant Narlikar obtained a degree in science. He later completed his PhD from Cambridge University and won several prestigious awards.

Prof Narlikar drew the attention of scientists around the world by proposing the ‘Conformal Gravity Theory’ along with Sir Fred Hoyle.

Some of his famous scientific books are ‘Antaralatil Bhasmasur’, Antarala and Vigyan, Akashashi Jadle Nate and Suryacha Prapok. His Marathi autobiography ‘Char Nagarantele Maje Vishwa’ won the Delhi Sahitya Akademi Award.

He also got the Maharashtra Government Award for his book 'Denagi', the Lifetime Achievement Award in Literature from the American Foundation, and the Rashtra Bhushan Award from the Phi Foundation, Ichalkaranji.



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