Latest news with #AthenschaPlague
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
His science fiction legacy remains ahead of its time
Pune: Even as the scientific community mourns the passing of Dr Jayant Narlikar, many are revisiting his Marathi science fiction works that anticipated global crises long before it occurred. His story 'Athenscha Plague' (The Plague in Athens), written over three decades ago, drew renewed attention during the Covid-19 pandemic five years ago. Part of the anthology 'Antaralatale Bhasmasur' (Demons in Space), the story imagined a deadly virus originating from an asteroid and devastating ancient Athens — a fictional but eerily prescient scenario that many found relatable in recent years. In another novel, 'Vaman Parat Na Aala' (Vaman Did Not Return), written in the 1980s, Narlikar explored the consequences of a world increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence. The story follows the rise of a super-intelligent robot, posing questions about control, ethics, and humanity's future — themes that resonate even more strongly today. Beyond his pioneering work in cosmology, Narlikar was celebrated for popularising science in Marathi through fiction, essays, and accessible non-fiction. His literary contributions earned him the Sahitya Akademi award in 2014 for his autobiography 'Chaar Nagaratle Majhe Vishva'. The book chronicled his journey through the academic and scientific worlds of Cambridge, Mumbai, Pune, and beyond. In 2021, he was unanimously chosen as the president of the 94th Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Sammelan — the first science writer to preside over the prestigious literary conference. Though ill health prevented him from attending the event in Nashik, his selection was seen as a long-overdue recognition of science literature within the Marathi literary mainstream. 'Narlikar propagated scientific temper and made science writing accessible and engaging for Marathi readers,' said Milind Joshi, president,Akhil Bharatiya Marathi Sahitya Mahamandal. 'His selection was an idea whose time had come.' Dileep Majgaonkar, publisher, Rajhans Publication, said his publication and Narlikar had over 30-year-long association. 'Narlikar's science writings were published by Rajhans, and they collaborated on two major projects. The first project, 'SrushtiVidnyan Gatha', was a comprehensive resource that covered around 200-300 topics related to nature, science, and the world. Edited by Narlikar, with writing by Shriram Geet and Sadanand Borse, it received a huge response and encouraged science readership in Marathi. Their second project, 'Aakaahashi Jadle Nate', was a book on astrophysics that showcased Narlikar's expertise. The book was highly successful, going into its 10th edition. Narlikar's writing style made complex concepts accessible, contributing to the popularity of science literature in Marathi. Some of his most acclaimed works include 'Srushtividnyan Gatha', 'Ganit Aani Vidnyan–Yugayuganchi Jugalbandi', and 'Aakashashi Jadale Nate', which emphasised astronomy over astrology, and questioned conventional beliefs. His popular fiction titles — 'Preshit', 'Virus', 'Antaralatil Sphot', 'Abhyaranya' — combined science with storytelling, making complex subjects accessible to general readers. Poet and writer Raj Kulkarni recalled how Narlikar's books shaped his thinking: 'I had just cleared my Class 12 exam and wrote to him at IUCAA about a meteor shower. He replied with a handwritten letter. That meant the world to me.' For a generation of Marathi readers, Narlikar was not just a scientist — he was a visionary storyteller who bridged the worlds of imagination and evidence. In an age of misinformation and pseudoscience, his voice stood firmly for rationality, curiosity, and the power of science to illuminate the human condition.
Hindustan Times
21-05-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Astrophysicist who proposed alternative to Big Bang theory passes away at 86
Pune: Dr Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, one of India's most respected astrophysicists and a tireless science communicator, passed away in Pune early Tuesday morning. He was 86. Narlikar had recently undergone hip surgery at a city hospital. He is survived by three daughters - Geeta, Girija and Leelavati, all of whom have opted for research careers in science. According to sources close to the family, the last rites are likely to be performed on Wednesday. A pioneer in cosmology and popularisation of science, Narlikar was instrumental in establishing key scientific institutions and nurturing generations of researchers. Equally important was his lifelong commitment to demystifying science through accessible writing in both Marathi and English. Over three decades ago, he wrote a Marathi science fiction story, Athenscha Plague (The Plague in Athens), which resurfaced in public memory during the Covid-19 pandemic for its uncanny relevance. His popular science essays in Marathi helped bring complex ideas to the lay reader with clarity and simplicity. Born on July 19, 1938, he spent his formative years at the Banaras Hindu University (BHU) campus, where his father, Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar, was head of the mathematics department while his mother Sumati Narlikar was a Sanskrit scholar. He later studied at Cambridge University, where he was awarded the Tyson Medal and recognised as a Wrangler for his outstanding performance in the Mathematical Tripos. In 1966, Narlikar married Mangala Rajwade, a doctorate in mathematics. After returning to India, Narlikar joined the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in 1972 and led the Theoretical Astrophysics Group until 1989, during which time the group gained international recognition. In 1988, the University Grants Commission (UGC) entrusted him with the task of establishing the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) inside the Savitribai Phule Pune University campus. As its founding director, he led IUCAA until his retirement in 2003. 'His vision for the institute, dubbed the 'Eightfold Way', emphasised not only excellence in astronomy research but also outreach to university faculty, guidance to PhD students, access to the latest observational facilities for Indian astronomers, as well as science outreach and education for schoolchildren and the wider public,' IUCAA stated. The centre has since become a globally respected hub for research and education in astronomy. Narlikar continued his association with IUCAA as emeritus professor. Raghunath Srianand, director, IUCAA, described Narlikar's demise as a 'big loss' to the world of science. 'He was the founder-director of IUCAA, a research institute he conceived to promote astronomy and astrophysics in Indian universities. His vision was to empower researchers from across the country, especially those from remote regions, to pursue high-quality research in this otherwise expensive field,' he said. Highlighting Narlikar's scientific legacy, Srianand added, 'He laid the foundation for what is now known as cosmology in India. Interestingly, while he himself did not subscribe to the Big Bang theory; he encouraged others to explore all scientific ideas. That openness defined his approach to science.' IUCAA's identity as a public-facing institute was also shaped by his ethos. 'He believed that every research institute must make efforts to communicate science and nurture scientific temper among the general public. That ethos remains central to IUCAA's mission,' Srianand said. Somak Raychaudhury, vice-chancellor of Ashoka University and former director at IUCAA, said, 'When 99.9% of scientists believed in the Big Bang, Narlikar held on to his belief that the universe is of infinite age, infinite time, and infinite space. That showed a rare strength of character in science. His work was rigorous—his mathematics and physics were unmatched. Yet, he was not afraid to disagree with dominant ideas.' Over the course of a remarkable career, Narlikar made groundbreaking contributions to cosmology, challenged prevailing scientific orthodoxy, and dedicated himself to making science accessible to the broader public. 'He is best known for co-developing the Hoyle–Narlikar theory of gravity—an alternative to Einstein's general relativity—and for championing the steady-state theory of the universe, a bold counterpoint to the widely accepted Big Bang model,' IUCAA stated. Narlikar received international acclaim for both research and his work in science outreach. In 2012, the Third World Academy of Sciences honoured him for creating a centre of excellence in science. In 1996, UNESCO awarded him the Kalinga Prize for his contributions to popular science writing and communication. He authored several science books and articles for general readers and was known for his engaging science fiction. He also reached wide audiences through television and radio, always striving to make complex scientific concepts understandable. Among his many accolades, Narlikar received the Padma Bhushan in 1965 at just 26, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2004. In 2011, the Maharashtra government honoured him with the Maharashtra Bhushan, its highest civilian award. His Marathi autobiography, Chaar Nagarantale Maze Vishwa (My Universe Across Four Cities), won the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for its literary merit and ability to explain science with grace and insight. He was also chosen to preside over the Marathi Sahitya Sammelan in 2021, but could not attend the event in Nashik due Covid and ill health.
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Science
- Indian Express
Express View: A life in science
In the early 1990s, Jayant Narlikar wrote a Marathi short story, Athenscha Plague (The Plague in Athens), which featured a virus unleashed by an asteroid. In a fictional replay of the great Athens plague, the Greek city gets swept away. However, unlike the ancient epidemic, whose causes remain unknown, Narlikar's Athens was ravaged by a pathogen from space. A few years later, the cosmologist led an experiment to collect microorganisms from the upper atmosphere. His research suggested evidence of living matter in the stratosphere. Did some of them seed life on Earth? Narlikar counselled caution and talked of the need for more experiments. The short story and the experiment on the possibilities of microbial life outside Earth encapsulated Narlikar's approach. The cosmologist, who passed away, at 87 on Tuesday, believed in pushing the limits of possibilities. Narlikar, the writer, took readers on exploratory journeys. Narlikar, the astrophysicist, challenged dominant theories and worked assiduously to build evidence to substantiate his claims. His long collaboration with mentor and British astrophysicist Fred Hoyle produced the most significant critique of the influential Big Bang theory. The building blocks of the Hoyle-Narlikar Quasi Steady State Cosmology theory — it contends that the universe did not originate in one Big Bang, but has existed for infinite time and has developed in small spurts — were forged when the young astrophysicist worked with his mentor in Cambridge. But Narlikar belonged to a generation of scientists such as Madhav Gadgil, Indira Nath and Venkataraman Radhakrishnan, who gave up thriving careers in renowned global labs to nurture research and hone talent in Indian institutions. The astrophysicist took up a position at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in 1972, where he trained scientists whose work would have a seminal influence on Indian astrophysics — they include Ajit Kembhavi, the late Thanu Padmanabhan and Sanjeev Dhurandhar. In the late 1980s, when the UGC invited him to create the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA), Narlikar suggested that the institute be set up within an existing university. Conceived as a hub where scholars from across Indian universities could come together to brainstorm and share resources, Narlikar's most enduring institutional legacy started in a small room in the Pune University campus in 1988. However, in a few years, it expanded into a vibrant institution, equipped with state-of-the-art labs and telescopes. Narlikar saw himself as more than an academic. He wrote scripts for TV and was a regular contributor to newspapers. The astrophysicist would often use the example of vegetable prices to explain the quasi-steady state cosmology theory — prices go up and down depending on seasons, but over a decade, they go up regardless of the season. Likewise, he would say, the universe goes through cycles of contraction and expansion, but evolves over the long term. He anticipated the predicaments of the AI age in his novel, The Return of Vaman, in which a machine outwits its programmer. The scientist often drew inspiration from Indian traditions — he reportedly asked architect Charles Correa to design the IUCAA campus according to Buddhist concepts. At the same time, Narlikar made it a mission to counter pseudoscience and astrology. He made science accessible while underlining that there were no shortcuts to excellence.
