India
Renowned Indian scientist Govind Swarup passes away at 91
Prof Govind Swarup passed away on 7 September 2020 at 9.00 pm.
“Passing of renowned scientist great radio astronomer professor Govind Swaroop is a lot of the scientific fraternity,” said Jayaram Chengalur, Dean of National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA). Swaroop played a major role in shaping radio astronomy and it is a heavy loss for us all,” added Chengalur.
“He was interested in science to the very edge, his enthusiasm and curiosity still drew him towards science until his end, he added.
Prof Govind Swarup passed away on 7 September 2020 at 9.00 pm in a Private Hospital (the Ruby Hall Clinic Pune) due to illness. He was admitted to the hospital 10 days ago due to weakness and other complications. His funeral was held at Aundh Crematorium, Pune at 11.30 pm.
The Padma Shri awardee hailed as the doyen of Indian Radio Astronomy and is the founding director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. Born in 1929 at Thakurwada, he is one of the pioneers of radio astronomy in India.
He was known not only for his important research contributions but also for his leadership in building highly innovative, world-class radio telescopes such as the Ooty Radio Telescope and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), which firmly established India as one of the leading countries for Radio Astronomy research. The GMRT, which was recently upgraded, continues to be one of the most sensitive radio telescopes in the world, at the frequencies at which it operates.
Prof. Swarup, an M.Sc. from Allahabad University in 1950 and his PhD from Standford University in the USA in 1961. He returned to India in 1963 and joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research at the invitation of Prof. Homi Bhabha.
It was there he built a strong radio astronomy group, that continues on today at the NCRA.
He received several distinctions throughout his career, the Bhatnagar award, and the Grote Reber medal. He was a fellow of many distinguished academies, including Fellowship of the Royal Society.
