Jayant Narlikar awarded with lifetime achievement award by Astronomical Society of India

Jayant Narlikar awarded with lifetime achievement award by Astronomical Society of India


Pune: Jayant Narlikar, astronomer, the founding director ofInter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune and also a past president of the Astronomical Society of India (ASI) was awarded the first ASI Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement award on Thursday. Though the award was announced earlier this year at the 41st meeting of the ASI held at IIT Indore, Narlikar was unable to travel to receive it. The president of the ASI, Dipankar Banerjee, handed over the award to Narlikar in Pune on Thursday.
‘In the year 2022, as it celebrated its golden jubilee, the Astronomical Society of India (ASI) instituted the Govind Swarup Lifetime Achievement Award to recognise eminent Indian astronomers for the contributions they have made to the field of Astronomy and Astrophysics in India over their careers. The award is named in honour of Govind Swarup (1929-2020) who is considered the father of Indian radio astronomy,’ said the official release from IUCAA.
Banerjee in his statement to the media said, “Though their domains of work differed widely, both Prof Swarup and Prof Narlikar remained deeply committed to the growth of astronomy and astrophysics in the country by building exemplary institutions and devoting enormous efforts towards training the younger generations. They both continue to serve as illustrious role models for generations to come. It is an honour for me to hand over the award to our beloved teacher, Jayant.”