K Kasturirangan, visionary space scientist and architect of India's education reforms, passes away at 84
NEW DELHI: Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, an eminent space scientist, educationist and the guiding force behind India's space and education milestones, passed away on Friday in Bengaluru at the age of 84. A former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) and the chief architect of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Kasturirangan had been battling age-related ailments following a heart attack he suffered in Sri Lanka in July 2023. He breathed his last at 10:43 am at his Bengaluru residence.
His mortal remains will be kept at the Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, on April 27 for people to pay their respects. He is survived by two sons.
Kasturirangan-led Isro from 1994 to 2003, a period marked by major milestones, including the operationalisation of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and the successful flight-test of the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. Under his stewardship, Isro pursued technological self-reliance and began planning ambitious missions such as Chandrayaan, despite facing international sanctions following India's 1998 nuclear tests.
PM Narendra Modi said, '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.' He praised Kasturirangan's pivotal role in elevating Isro and said India would always be grateful for his contributions to education.
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President Droupadi Murmu acknowledged his integral role in shaping both India's space programme and the NEP.
Education minister Dharmendra Pradhan remembered him as an 'intellectual titan', saying, 'To me, he was far more than a mentor — he was a guiding light, a wellspring of wisdom, compassion, and quiet strength.'
Science and technology minister Jitendra Singh called him 'a visionary scientist and a guiding force behind India's space programme'. Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said he made significant contributions in India's space exploration and contributed in various positions in key policy making.
Prior to heading Isro, Kasturirangan directed the Isro Satellite Centre and was responsible for overseeing development of next-generation satellites including INSAT-2 and IRS-1A & 1B. As project director for BHASKARA-I and II, India's first experimental Earth observation satellites, he laid the groundwork for the nation's remote sensing capabilities.
An accomplished astrophysicist, Kasturirangan's research spanned high-energy X-ray and gamma-ray astronomy. He played a key role in conceptualising India's first space-based high-energy astronomy observatory and authored over 200 research papers in leading national and international journals. He also edited six books.
After his illustrious space career, Kasturirangan pivoted to education policy and led the drafting committee of the NEP-2020, introducing a transformative vision for Indian schooling and higher education. Later, he spearheaded the development of the National Curriculum Framework.
He had famously stated, 'The vision of India's new education system is to ensure that it touches each and every citizen's life and creates a just and equitable society.'
Kasturirangan was awarded all three of India's top civilian honours — Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992), and Padma Vibhushan (2000). He was also Member of Rajya Sabha (2003–09), Planning Commission member, National Institute of Advanced Studies director (2004–2009) and JNU chancellor.
Born on Oct 24, 1940, in Ernakulam, Kerala, he earned his physics degree from Bombay University and his PhD in experimental high-energy astronomy from the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. Kasturirangan leaves behind a legacy that spans the cosmos and classrooms.
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