Kasturirangan, Former ISRO Chairman, Passes Away at 84
The Wire Staff
New Delhi: Indian scientist Kasturirangan, who served as the chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for nine years, has passed away. He was 84.
Kasturirangan headed the ISRO between 1994 and 2003, at a time when there were a number of international restrictions for the space agency, especially after the nuclear test in 1998.
He also served as the chairman of the space commission and Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space till 2003.
A towering figure in India's space research, Kasturirangan’s leadership was marked by several milestones including India's launch vehicles, the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). He oversaw the development of ISRO’s remote sensing satellites, and also led the initiative for India’s self-reliance in space missions by entering the planetary exploration era for missions like Chandrayaan.
He won several awards including the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering, Dr Vikram Sarabhai Prerit Award in Aerospace, MP Birla Memorial Award in Astronomy, MM Chugani Memorial Award in Applied Science and HK Firodia Award in Science and others for his contributions in the field of space. He was also a receipant of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
Later, he served as a Rajya Sabha member and then a member of the erstwhile Planning Commission. He has served the government in a number of other advisory capacities, in scientific and educational sectors.
In 2013, a high-level committee led by Kasturirangan on the Western Ghats submitted a report that proposed to identify 37% of the Western Ghats as environmentally sensitive. In 2017, he was appointed as the head of a committee to draft the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
According to a statement issued by ISRO, he died on Friday morning (April 25) at his residence in Bengaluru. His body will be kept at Raman Research Institute (RRI) between 10 AM and noon for paying last respects on April 27.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi posted on X condoling his death. “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 served ISRO with great diligence, steering India’s space programme to new heights, for which we also received global recognition. His leadership also witnessed ambitious satellite launches and focussed on innovation,” he wrote.
President Droupadi Murmu posted, “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. With his passion for knowledge, he also contributed greatly in diverse fields."
According to reports, Kasturirangan had suffered a mild heart attack two years ago. He had been ailing ever since.
The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.
