President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday condoled the demise of former Indian Space Research Organisation(ISRO)chief Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan and remembered him for playing a stellar role in the evolution of India’s space programme. Kasturirangan (84) passed away in Bengaluru on Friday.
He was conferred with Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan. He headed ISRO between 1994 and August 27, 2003.
Kasturirangan was also a nominated member of Rajya Sabha. He was born on October 24, 1940 at Ernakulam in Kerala to C M Krishnaswamy Iyer and Visalakshi. Having origins in Tamil Nadu, his family had settled at Chalakudy in Thrissur district. His mother was hailing from Palakkad Iyer family.
He steered the Indian space programme gloriously for more than nine years as the chief of the ISRO, head of the Space Commission and secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space, before laying down his office on August 27, 2003.
He was the project director for India’s first two experimental earth observation satellites — BHASKARA-I and II — and subsequently, was also responsible for the overall direction of the first operational Indian remote-sensing satellite, IRS-1A.
Kasturirangan got his bachelor’s and master’s degree in physics from the Bombay University and PhD in experimental high-energy astronomy while working at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, in 1971.
He is credited with the successful launch and operationalisation of India’s prestigious launch vehicle, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), and the first successful flight testing of the all-important Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
Defining India’s most ambitious space-based high-energy astronomy observatory and initiating a related activities was also an important milestone under his leadership. Kasturirangan has made extensive and significant contributions to the studies of cosmic X-ray and gamma-ray sources and the effect of cosmic X-rays in the lower atmosphere.
“With his passion for knowledge, he also contributed greatly in diverse fields. He helped draft the National Education Policy, which is already making a profound impact on the shaping of the next generation. My condolences to his family and admirers,” President Murmu said in a social media post.
“Saddened to learn that Dr. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan is no more. As head of ISRO, he played a stellar role in the evolution of India’s space programme,” President Murmu said.
Prime Minister Modi hailed Kasturirangan as a towering figure in India’s scientific and educational journey. “I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, a towering figure in India’s scientific and educational journey. His visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will always be remembered,” Modi said in a social media post.
The prime minister said Kasturirangan served ISRO with great diligence and steered India’s space programme to new heights, for which the country received global recognition. “His leadership also witnessed ambitious satellite launches and focussed on innovation,” he said.
Modi said India will always be grateful to Dr. Kasturirangan for his efforts during the drafting of the National Education Policy (NEP) and in ensuring that learning in India became more holistic and forward-looking. Kasturirangan was chairman of the drafting committee of the NEP.
Modi noted that Kasturirangan was also an outstanding mentor to many young scientists and researchers. “My thoughts are with his family, students, scientists and countless admirers. Om Shanti,” the prime minister said.
Congress leaders condoled the death of former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan, with party chief Mallikarjun Kharge saying he played a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation and his demise is a great loss to the scientific community as well as the country.
In a social media post, Kharge said the demise of Kasturirangan, who played a pivotal role in strengthening the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and worked on key space missions, is a great loss to the scientific community and the country.
“A Padma Vibhushan recipient, he made significant contributions in India’s space exploration and contributed in various positions in key policy making. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, colleagues and disciples,” the Congress chief said.
Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh noted that Kasturirangan was the third ISRO chairman and the organisation took giant strides under his leadership.
“An advisor to various governments in different areas, he was also a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha as well as a member of the Planning Commission. I recall our long and close association, especially during my ministerial tenure during 2006-2014,” Ramesh said.
“Our numerous conversations over the years on various aspects of Indian science and technology greatly enriched my understanding of it. He would often tell me how profoundly he had been impacted personally and professionally by those two titans Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan. The nation is in his debt,” Ramesh added.
Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also condoled Kasturirangan’s demise. “My heartfelt condolences to the family and colleagues of Dr K Kasturirangan, a visionary who significantly advanced India’s space programme. His contributions to science and policy were invaluable,” she said in a social median post.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the death of renowned astrophysicist Kasturirangan, who raised India’s flag in the field of space technology, is shocking. Dr Kasturirangan, hailing from Karnataka, had immense love and concern for our state, he said.
“Dr Kasturirangan’s long-standing service as Chairman of India’s proud ISRO and Director of the Centre’s Space Council has made India internationally recognised in the field of space science,” he added.
Condolences to the family members and admirers of Dr Kasthuri Rangan. I share their grief. I pray for peace for the departed soul,” he added.