Narlikar inspired young minds, guided aspiring scientists with cosmic storytelling
Nagpur: Internationally-acclaimed
astrophysicist
and science communicator,
Jayant Narlikar
, maintained strong ties with the scientific, academic, and literary scenario in Nagpur and Vidarbha. Though Narlikar was based in Pune, where he breathed his last on Tuesday, his frequent interactions and visits with regional science forums and his ability to communicate science in Marathi made him a respected figure in the region.
Dr Narlikar's tryst with Nagpur dates back to the 1980s when he visited the Govt Science College to guide aspiring scientists. Over the years, he continued to inspire young minds through engagements at institutions like Shri Shivaji Science College, where he participated in the INSPIRE programme — always emphasising the need to blend scientific inquiry with ethical clarity and cultural consciousness.
As news of his demise spread, leading personalities from Nagpur and Maharashtra paid heartfelt tributes to the late scientist. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "A brilliant mind who illuminated India's scientific image and established the importance of
astronomy
has departed. Dr Narlikar's contribution to
Indian science
is unmatched."
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, expressing deep sorrow, tweeted, "The nation has lost a celestial beacon in the world of astrophysics. Dr Narlikar simplified complex scientific ideas for the common man and was tireless in his efforts to spread scientific thinking."
Dr Prakash Amte called it "a deeply sad moment," recalling Narlikar's decades-long commitment to research and
science communication
: "He utilised every medium — books, articles, lectures — to make astronomy understandable for the masses," said Amte.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money
Expertinspector
Click Here
Undo
Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh (VSS) president Pradip Date highlighted Narlikar's impact on science fiction in Marathi: "He gave Marathi literature a taste for science storytelling. He used to say that if science is bitter, fiction is the sugar coating that helps people absorb it."
Ashish Shelar, minister of cultural affairs, said, "Dr Narlikar's work on the origin of the universe and his efforts to democratise science are lighthouses for current and future generations."
MLC Sandip Joshi paid tribute, calling Narlikar "an inspiring writer and science communicator whose work gave Indian science a global platform". "A brilliant star has set," he said.
MLC Dr Parinay Fuke stressed Dr Narlikar modernised Indian astronomy and scientific thought. "He made science part of common discourse through his simple yet powerful writing," said Fuke.
Academicians, scientists, social workers, and literature lovers also paid glowing tributes to Narlikar.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Dr Reddy's, Alvotech to co-develop Keytruda biosimilar
Dr. Reddy's Laboratories and Alvotech are collaborating to develop, manufacture, and commercialize a biosimilar version of Keytruda, a highly successful cancer drug. This partnership aims to provide more affordable treatment options globally as Merck's patents begin to expire around 2028. The collaboration will enhance Dr. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Mumbai: Dr Reddy's Laboratories has entered into a collaboration with Reykjavik, Ireland-based biotech company Alvotech to co-develop, manufacture and commercialise a biosimilar version of blockbuster cancer drug Keytruda for the global (generic name is pembrolizumab ), manufactured and marketed by Merck & Co , is the most successful medicine, recording worldwide sales of $29.5 billion in 2024. It is used to treat multiple forms of the terms of the agreement, both companies will be jointly responsible for developing and manufacturing the biosimilar candidate and sharing costs and responsibilities, Hyderabad-based DRL said in a statement on to certain exceptions, each party will have the right to commercialise the product traditional generics, which often face automatic patent infringement claims, biosimilars are developed more like original drugs, complete with clinical trials and patent disclosures, giving them a better chance of overcoming legal challenges. Also, Merck's core patents on pembrolizumab in the US are expected to start expiring around 2028.'This (collaboration) demonstrates our ability to develop and manufacture high quality and affordable treatment options for patients worldwide,' Erez Israeli, chief executive of DRL, said.Róbert Wessman, chairman and CEO of Alvotech, said, 'The agreement enables us to increase the availability of cost-effective, critical biologic medications to patients worldwide.'Keytruda is approved in the US to treat 40 cancers, unlike most medicines that treat a few indications or medical India, it is approved for use in 17 indications across 10 cancers or tumour types. Oncologists mostly prescribe it to treat certain types of lung cancers, followed by gastrointestinal cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and head and neck helps the body's immune system, which is the T-cells, to detect and fight cancer cells that hide and spread in organs.'Oncology has been a top focus therapy area for us, and this collaboration will enhance our capabilities in oncology, as pembrolizumab currently represents one of the most critical therapies in immuno-oncology ,' Israeli has been out of reach for most patients in India due to its exorbitant cost – roughly about Rs 2 lakhs for each dose. However, with Merck's patent set to expire in a few years and with Indian drug manufacturers looking to come up with more affordable versions of the drug it may play a crucial role in widening adoption across a larger cohort of patients.
India.com
2 hours ago
- India.com
India's Rs 548 crore Space Leap: Shukla rides the Falcon 9 to the ISS
On June 10, 2025, at 5:52 PM IST (8:22 AM EDT), Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla will lift off to the International Space Station (ISS), becoming the first Indian astronaut since 1984 to undertake such a journey. As the pilot of Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), he will fly aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. After approximately 28 hours of travel, the crew is expected to dock with the ISS by 10:00 PM IST on June 11, 2025. Shukla joins an elite international crew: Commander Peggy Whitson (USA, Axiom Space), and Mission Specialists Sławosz Uznański-Wiśniewski (Poland, ESA) and Tibor Kapu (Hungary, Hunor Programme). The team will spend up to 14 days aboard the ISS, conducting over 60 scientific experiments from 31 countries, including seven from India, such as research on plant growth in microgravity, muscle regeneration, and tardigrade resilience. Born on October 10, 1985, in Lucknow, Shukla is a decorated Indian Air Force test pilot with over 2,000 flight hours. He has undergone rigorous astronaut training in Russia and at SpaceX facilities in the US, and will assist in spacecraft navigation, docking, and emergency procedures during the mission. But beyond his technical role, Shukla carries India's cultural pride into space—bringing along items designed by National Institute of Design (NID) students, performing yoga in microgravity, sharing Indian delicacies like mango nectar and moong dal halwa, and planning live interactions with Indian school children and possibly Prime Minister Narendra Modi. SpaceX has revolutionized space travel economics. While NASA pays around $55 million per seat under its commercial crew program, private clients like Axiom Space are charged $52–55 million per seat, excluding stay-related fees. NASA charges $35,000 per night per astronaut for use of the ISS. India's investment for Shukla's mission seat is around ₹548 crore (approximately $65 million), while the total private mission cost per astronaut can go up to $100 million, including training and logistics. In comparison, Russia's Soyuz costs around $80–86 million per seat, Boeing's Starliner costs about $90 million, and the now-retired Space Shuttle had a cost of approximately $170 million per astronaut. For reference, cargo missions on SpaceX's Dragon cost anywhere between $21,000 and $89,000 per kg, while human missions are far costlier due to added life support and safety systems. Shukla's mission is more than just a spaceflight—it's a symbol of India's return to human space exploration. He carries a special swan named 'Joy', representing wisdom (India), resilience (Poland), and grace (Hungary). The scientific experiments onboard are expected to contribute to India's ambition of establishing a space station by 2035 and support its moon mission goals set for 2047. This mission also strengthens international space ties, especially between India and the US, following commitments made during PM Modi's 2023 visit. In every sense, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla's journey aboard the human-rated Falcon 9 rocket is a giant leap for India—both in science and symbolism. With his successful flight, India not only rekindles its human spaceflight legacy after four decades but also sets the stage for greater roles in global space partnerships, cutting-edge research, and inspiration for the next generation of Indian scientists, engineers, and dreamers. —E.O.M (Girish Linganna is an award-winning science communicator and a Defence, Aerospace & Geopolitical is the Managing Director of ADD Engineering Components India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of ADD Engineering GmbH, Germany )
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Vitamin D supplements and their link with ageing: 5 unbelievable facts
Vitamin D, crucial for bone health and immunity, may also combat aging. A study revealed that vitamin D supplements help maintain telomere length, potentially delaying biological aging by nearly three years. Furthermore, it supports cardiovascular health, improves mood, and aids in weight management, highlighting its multifaceted benefits for overall well-being. Soak in the sunshine every morning. That daily dose of vitamin D can do wonders for your health. Vitamin D, also known as the 'sunshine vitamin', plays a critical role in bone health, immune function, and overall well-being. Recent research also suggests that it may help reverse age! A recent study led by researchers at Mass General Brigham and the Medical College of Georgia found that vitamin D supplements show signs of protection against biological aging. The findings are published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . What is vitamin D Vitamin D is a fat-soluble nutrient essential for maintaining healthy bones, supporting immune function, and promoting overall well-being. It is produced by the skin when exposed to sunlight and can also be consumed from animal-based foods such as salmon, cod, and egg yolks. Vitamin D and ageing The recent controlled trial revealed that vitamin D supplementation helps to maintain telomeres, the protective caps found at the ends of chromosomes that shorten during aging and are linked to the development of certain diseases. 'VITAL is the first large-scale and long-term randomized trial to show that vitamin D supplements protect telomeres and preserve telomere length. This is of particular interest because VITAL had also shown benefits of vitamin D in reducing inflammation and lowering risks of selected chronic diseases of aging, such as advanced cancer and autoimmune disease,' co-author JoAnn Manson, MD, principal investigator and chief of the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital, said in a release. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo Easy ways to increase your Vitamin D intake The study followed over 1,000 participants for four years and found that those who took vitamin D3 supplementation daily had slowed the process of telomere shortening. This means it delayed biological aging by nearly three years. The shortening of the telomeres is also linked to increased risk of many age-related diseases. 'Targeted vitamin D supplementation may be a promising strategy to counter a biological aging process, although further research is warranted,' the researchers noted. Vitamin D and immunity Studies have also found that a low level of vitamin D increased the risk of infections and autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease. A 2020 study found that vitamin D can improve immune health and decrease the susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. Vitamin D and cardiovascular health Vitamin D plays a crucial role in fighting disease. Low levels of vitamin D are linked to increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. A systemic analysis and meta-analysis conducted by scientists from institutions across China and the United States in 2024 found that targeted vitamin D supplementation can improve cardiometabolic health. The analysis found that vitamin D supplementation was associated with favorable effects on various cardiometabolic risk factors, including reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin A1C, and fasting blood insulin. Vitamin D and mood Studies have shown that vitamin D plays a key role in decreasing the risk of depression and also regulating mood. A 2020 systematic review and meta-analysis of 7,534 people found that vitamin D supplementation can reduce negative emotions. Researchers noted that patients with major depressive disorder and individuals with vitamin D deficiency are most likely to benefit from supplementation. Vitamin D and weight loss Vitamin D has also shown promise in weight management. A 2018 study looked at the effects of vitamin D supplementation on weight Loss, glycemic indices, and lipid profile in obese and overweight Women. After 6 weeks of supplementation in obese and overweight women aged 20–40 years, the researchers found a reduction in the mean of BMI, weight, and waist circumference. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
