Latest news with #KrishnaswamyKasturirangan
Mint
28-05-2025
- Politics
- Mint
Implement educational reforms in honour of Dr Kasturirangan (1940-2025)
Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan passed away on 25 April 2025. Countless have contributed to building India, and his name will be among the top. But even the faintest of allusions to any such thing would have had him divert credit to his team, mentors, friends and the circumstances. Anybody but himself. So, I have wondered what tribute to pay him. I have found a solution. I am writing about a book that I gave him in October 2017 as we started work on what became the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), whose committee he chaired. Let us go back 60 years. Also Read: India's consensus on school education makes space for optimism The Kothari Commission report in 1966 presented India with our first comprehensive blueprint for educational transformation, adopted as the National Policy on Education in 1968. J.P. Naik, the commission's member secretary, was its chief architect. His 1979 book Education Commission and After offers an assessment of that critical first decade of implementation, a period that revealed both the extraordinary promise of systemic reform and the sobering realities that derailed it. The Commission's vision was for a radical re-imagining of education as a great democratizing force. Its proposed Common School System was designed to dismantle the entrenched apartheid between elite private institutions and under-resourced government schools. The Commission understood that educational equity required more than just access. It needed the social mixing that comes when children from all backgrounds learn together in quality neighbourhood schools. But this vision collided with India's deeply stratified social order. State governments, those professing socialist commitment included, lacked the political courage to challenge powerful constituencies invested in maintaining educational segregation. The result was a system that paid rhetorical homage to equity while reinforcing inequities in practice. Also Read: India's education system must adapt better to the real world out there The financial timidity that undermined the Commission's proposals remains a damning indictment of the approach actually taken. Its recommendation to allocate 6% of GDP to education— arrived at through careful study of global benchmarks and India's developmental needs—was an actionable proposal. Yet, this target was never approached in the critical first decade, with expenditure hovering only around 2.8% in the early 1970s. Naik traces how this chronic underinvestment created cascading failures: teacher salaries were woefully inadequate, training schemes were starved of resources and infrastructure development lagged disastrously. Vocational education, envisioned as a bridge between schooling and employment, also faced neglect—with penetration of under 5% in India's secondary schools by the mid-1970s against a target of 50%. Teacher empowerment, another cornerstone of the Commission's framework, met a similarly dispiriting fate. While new teacher training institutions emerged, their impact was diluted by formalism and inconsistent standards. The National Council for Teacher Education, set up in 1973 as a watchdog, found its recommendations routinely ignored by state governments, and soon became dysfunctional. What should have been a professional renaissance became another exercise in box-ticking, with teacher autonomy and creativity becoming casualties of a rigid administrative mindset. Naik's analysis identifies several reasons for this implementation deficit. Also Read: Invest heavily in education: It's the cornerstone of a Viksit Bharat First, we lacked accountability mechanisms. The Commission's recommendations remained advisory rather than mandatory, allowing governments to cherry-pick convenient elements while ignoring challenging reforms. Second, there was little effort to resolve the inherent tension between central vision and state implementation. We needed genuine accommodation of local contexts while keeping the policy's spirit intact. The Commission had wisely advocated substantial local autonomy in educational matters. In practice, the system became mired in bureaucratic centralization at every level without much accountability. Perhaps most critically, Naik highlights the absence of any sustained public mobilization to demand these reforms. Unlike land reforms or linguistic movements that captured the popular imagination, educational reforms remained largely an elite concern. This meant successive governments treated education as a secondary priority, vulnerable to budgetary cuts and political expediency. The Commission's vision required building a broad social consensus around education as a public good, but it never materialized. If you are interested and invested in India, and not necessarily just in Indian education, Naik's book is worth reading for its clear-eyed view of our country. After our work was done on NEP 2020, one day Dr Rangan, as I called him, called me and said, 'You will write our 'Education Commission and After in 2030'." It was not a question. Rarely did he ask anything directly, so I said, 'Yes sir, I will." That could be a tribute to him, one that he will not be able to turn away from. But for that, we need to learn from J.P. Naik's experience and implement the NEP 2020, if not in full measure, at least very substantially. That would be the real tribute to him. The author is CEO of Azim Premji Foundation.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
K. Kasturirangan (1940–2025): Architect of India's Space Programme and Education Policy Vision
Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan was a rare personality who contributed to diverse fields such as Indian space missions, national policy, environment, education, and institution-building. In Kasturirangan, we see an amalgamation of radiating passion, boundless energy and enthusiasm, and an inquisitive mind combined with an uncompromising quest to bring out the best in every initiative. He remained eager to learn new ideas, explore new areas, and take up challenging tasks across diverse fields throughout his life, while always appreciating achievements by giving due credit to teams, moulding individuals and programmes—and, above all, remaining a warm human being. It is not often that we come across a personality like Kasturirangan. The nation has lost a luminary. Fondly called 'Dr. Rangan', he belonged to the generation that witnessed the country's journey since Independence and grew along with it. With a burning desire to make the nation self-sufficient and a frontrunner in cutting-edge technology and scientific discovery, his contribution to space science programmes was unparalleled, beginning with the first Indian mission, Aryabhata, launched exactly 50 years ago. Trained in basic sciences, his journey from the Physical Research Laboratory to the highest position in the Indian Space Research Organisation was exemplary. His areas of interest included high-energy astrophysics, X-ray astronomy, and astronomical instrumentation, and he was keen to attract the best talent in the world to India to set up futuristic experiments. While becoming Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation might seem the culmination of an exemplary career spanning three and a half decades, for Rangan, it was only the beginning of a new phase of pursuit. He transformed himself from the leader of critical space missions to a policymaker, leading the committee for the conservation of the Western Ghats and subsequently the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020. He also served the country as a member of the Rajya Sabha. Kasturirangan personified the belief that age is just a number when it comes to new learning, new fields, and new challenges. Also Read | M.S. Swaminathan (1925-2023): A truly human life dedicated to science and society He contributed to the growth of many academic and educational institutions in the country in various ways. His guidance to several top institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Science and Jawaharlal Nehru University, reflected his passion for scientific and academic pursuits. He provided his guidance and support to almost all the institutions in the areas of astronomy, astrophysics, and space sciences by heading their governing boards. He nurtured the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, for a long time, starting with its formation. Under his leadership, ARIES set up the largest telescopes in the country—the 3.4-metre telescope, the 4-metre liquid mirror telescope, and the ST radar facilities. Most of the major facilities in these fields benefited from his valuable guidance. Until recently, he chaired the governing board of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). He also chaired the governing council of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics when the Institute was constructing the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) for the AstroSat mission. His leadership was crucial to the successful fabrication of UVIT, including the setting up of the space science laboratory where UVIT was integrated. This laboratory went on to integrate and deliver the VELC instrument on board the Aditya-L1 mission and currently supports several space start-ups in their payload testing. The first Indian space observatory, AstroSat, took shape under his guidance, and he personally monitored the scientific, technical, and managerial aspects of the project. He co-authored an article summarising the five-year scientific achievements of the AstroSat mission. An academician at heart, he maintained an unwavering and uncompromising approach to scientific pursuits. His energy and enthusiasm for discussing scientific topics with a passion for pushing the boundaries of understanding were unparalleled. I have had several experiences where a 10-minute discussion with him would leave me with so many thought-provoking ideas—enough to ponder over for months. He had a characteristic style of narrating situations and naturally highlighting the most critical aspects. His push to maximise scientific returns from various instruments led to the success of missions such as AstroSat, the Chandrayaan series, and Aditya-L1. With the passing of Rangan, the scientific community has lost a passionate and enthusiastic mentor. His vision for India He believed in 'Make in India' and pushed for the nation to become self-reliant in critical technologies. A visionary, he planned many futuristic missions that helped develop capacity building in the country. His hallmark was ensuring that each mission contributed to building capacity in critical technologies, alongside achieving impactful scientific output. He was a keen supporter of the Thirty Metre Telescope project and was determined that India should develop the technical know-how required. He was particularly keen for India to contribute major hardware to the project and thereby master segmented mirror technology. He was very happy to witness the setting up of a large mirror fabrication facility in India, at the Hosakote campus of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Rangan's contribution to the nation also included his leadership of science academies and scientific societies. He was a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru, and served as its President from 2003 to 2005. He was a Fellow and former President of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), and a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). He also headed the Astronomical Society of India as its President from 1995 to 1997. He was a member of several national and international scientific societies. Rangan was a rare combination of scientist and technologist, who could lead both ISRO and India's premier scientific academies with distinction. He provided significant leadership support to two innovative institutions. He nurtured and promoted multidisciplinary research and enhanced the visibility of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS). He also served as Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC), which aimed to promote a knowledge society and enhance excellence in the education system. As part of the process of framing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he carried out extensive discussions and brainstorming sessions with a wide range of stakeholders, educationists, and academicians. His exemplary, lifelong career—larger than life in many ways—is presented in the book Space and Beyond: Professional Voyage of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, edited by B.N. Suresh, which offers a glimpse into the vast contributions he made to the country. That all of this was achieved in a single human lifetime is almost unimaginable and speaks volumes about his akshayapatra of energy, enthusiasm, and drive for excellence. Rangan published more than 200 research papers in national and international journals and edited six books. Among the many honours he received were the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Engineering Sciences and the national honours of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan for his scientific and technological contributions. Also Read | Remembering Ratan, the noble businessman When Rangan was Chair of the Governing Council of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), I was editing the Annual Report as a junior faculty member and had the opportunity to present it to him. He called me aside and explained the purpose and intended audience of the report, convincing me to make it more appealing to a wider readership. Later, I had several discussions with him about the scientific discoveries from the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), for which I served as the calibration scientist. He was always keen to understand not only the technical details of the work but also the broader impact of the results—not even a single minute with him went unutilised. Recently, I was thrilled to receive a letter from him personally congratulating me on being selected for the Vigyan Shri award for 2024 in space sciences and technology. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan has left behind a monumental legacy and has set very high standards. He will be missed by numerous organisations, academicians, educationists, policymakers, and the list goes on. Many of us will surely miss the intense conversations with him, which acted as boosters to our own scientific pursuits. There are countless lessons he provided for us to learn and imbibe in our journeys. The nation has lost an illustrious and visionary space scientist—one who truly conquered space and beyond. Annapurni Subramaniam is a Indian astrophysicist and the current Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
Time of India
27-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Dr K Kasturirangan's contribution to Space Science and nation building
Professor Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, or Dr. Kasuturirangan as he is fondly remembered as, was a remarkable leader, an accomplished scientist, and a transformative figure of our nation, who profoundly shaped India's space ambitions, educational framework, and showed the vision for the future. His life's journey, marked by an unwavering pursuit of knowledge and its application for the nation's advancement, has left an enduring legacy. Professor Kasturirangan's early academic brilliance, culminating in a doctorate in Experimental High Energy Astronomy from the University of Bombay laid a strong foundation for his extraordinary contributions to space exploration. He received the doctorate degree in 1971 when he was working at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. During his tenure at ISRO Satellite Centre (now the Satellite Centre), he was the Project Director for India's first two experimental earth observation satellites, BHASKARA-I & II. One of his landmark contributions was the expansion of India's remote sensing program. Satellites like IRS-1C and IRS-1D launched during his tenure provided high-resolution data for use in agriculture, forestry, water resources, and urban planning. His vision helped bridge the gap between advanced technology and development, demonstrating how space science could directly benefit common public. During 1990s and early 2000s, played a leading role in building and strengthening global perspectives of space activities. As a key person at the ISRO's lead Centre for Satellite Technology, ISRO Satellite Centre, for more than two decades and finally as its Director during 1990-1994 had primary responsibility for establishing design, fabrication, qualification and integration methodologies and systems for all satellites and their subsystems. His long and impactful association with ISRO saw him serve as Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space from 1994 to 2003. This era witnessed significant progress and several major missions under his insightful guidance. He spearheaded the successful development and launch of vital satellite series like Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for communication and meteorology, and IRS for Earth observation. The space programme witnessed successful operationalisation of PSLV and flight testing of GSLV during his leadership. Notably, India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, was conceived during his leadership, firmly establishing the nation in lunar exploration and yielding invaluable scientific insights. His steadfast dedication to developing indigenous technologies ensured India's growing self-reliance in the crucial space sector. As an Astrophysicist, Dr. Kasturirangan's interest includes research in high energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy as well as optical astronomy. He actively supported and driven the development and realisation of multi-wavelength astronomy mission, AstroSat right from the beginning. Beyond his monumental achievements in space, Professor Kasturirangan's visionary outlook extended to education. He chaired the committee responsible for drafting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a pivotal policy aimed at revolutionizing India's education system. The NEP 2020, with its emphasis on holistic development, critical thinking, multidisciplinary learning, and the integration of technology, reflects his deep understanding of the evolving needs of students and the nation. His leadership in shaping this policy underscores his commitment to nurturing young minds and empowering future generations. The policy's focus on early childhood education, foundational literacy and numeracy, and flexible higher education pathways stands as a testament to his comprehensive vision for an equitable and high-quality education system. Apart from his scientific contributions, Dr. Kasturirangan played a vital role in shaping India's education and science policy. He chaired the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), a transformative document aimed at modernizing India's education system to make it more holistic, flexible, and aligned with the needs of the 21st century. The policy emphasizes early childhood education, foundational literacy, research, and multidisciplinary learning. He was the Member (Science), planning commission from 2009 to 2014 and instrumental in formulating the 12th Five year plan of total S&T sector of India. Dr Kasturirangan also made a significant contribution to environmental conservation through his role as the Chairman of th high level working group on Western ghats, popularly known as Kasturirangan committee. Professor Kasturirangan's influence extended far beyond space and education. He held significant positions such as Member of the Planning Commission, Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003-2009 and Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. In these roles, he consistently championed science, technology, and education, advocating for policies that fostered innovation and societal progress. His insightful contributions to policymaking across diverse sectors demonstrated his wide-ranging expertise and his unwavering dedication to national development. His dedication and accomplishments earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, India's highest civilian honors, as well as international recognition for his scientific and technological contributions. These accolades underscore the profound impact he had on India and the world. In the Indian tradition, it is believed that the seeds sown by great individuals blossom into mighty trees, offering shade and sustenance for generations to come, thereby forming a rich ecosystem, and legacies down the line. Professor Kasturirangan's visionary work in space and education has indeed grown into such lofty trees, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in science and contribute to the nation's progress. His indomitable spirit, characterized by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence, will continue to energize future scientific endeavors in the country. Let us honor this great inspiration through our own sincere, relentless, and selfless hard work towards building a stronger and more prosperous India Facebook Twitter Linkedin Email Disclaimer Views expressed above are the author's own.
NDTV
27-04-2025
- Science
- NDTV
K Kasturirangan's Contribution To Space Science And Nation Building
Professor Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, or Dr Kasuturirangan as he is fondly remembered as, was a remarkable leader, an accomplished scientist, and a transformative figure of our nation, who profoundly shaped India's space ambitions, educational framework, and showed the vision for the future. His life's journey, marked by an unwavering pursuit of knowledge and its application for the nation's advancement, has left an enduring legacy. Professor Kasturirangan's early academic brilliance, culminating in a doctorate in Experimental High Energy Astronomy from the University of Bombay laid a strong foundation for his extraordinary contributions to space exploration. He received the doctorate degree in 1971 when he was working at Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. During his tenure at ISRO Satellite Centre (now the UR Rao Satellite Centre), he was the Project Director for India's first two experimental earth observation satellites, BHASKARA-I and II. One of his landmark contributions was the expansion of India's remote sensing programme. Satellites like IRS-1C and IRS-1D launched during his tenure provided high-resolution data for use in agriculture, forestry, water resources, and urban planning. His vision helped bridge the gap between advanced technology and development, demonstrating how space science could directly benefit the common public. During the 1990s and early 2000s, he played a leading role in building and strengthening global perspectives of space activities. As a key person at ISRO's lead Centre for Satellite Technology, ISRO Satellite Centre, for more than two decades and finally as its Director during 1990-1994 had primary responsibility for establishing design, fabrication, qualification and integration methodologies and systems for all satellites and their subsystems. His long and impactful association with ISRO saw him serve as Chairman and Secretary of the Department of Space from 1994 to 2003. This era witnessed significant progress and several major missions under his insightful guidance. He spearheaded the successful development and launch of vital satellite series like Indian National Satellite (INSAT) for communication and meteorology, and IRS for Earth observation. The space programme witnessed successful operationalisation of PSLV and flight testing of GSLV during his leadership. Notably, India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan-1, was conceived during his leadership, firmly establishing the nation in lunar exploration and yielding invaluable scientific insights. His steadfast dedication to developing indigenous technologies ensured India's growing self-reliance in the crucial space sector. As an Astrophysicist, Dr. Kasturirangan's interest includes research in high energy X-ray and gamma ray astronomy as well as optical astronomy. He actively supported and drove the development and realisation of multi-wavelength astronomy mission, AstroSat, right from the beginning. Beyond his monumental achievements in space, Professor Kasturirangan's visionary outlook extended to education. He chaired the committee responsible for drafting the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, a pivotal policy aimed at revolutionizing India's education system. The NEP 2020, with its emphasis on holistic development, critical thinking, multidisciplinary learning, and the integration of technology, reflects his deep understanding of the evolving needs of students and the nation. His leadership in shaping this policy underscores his commitment to nurturing young minds and empowering future generations. The policy's focus on early childhood education, foundational literacy and numeracy, and flexible higher education pathways stands as a testament to his comprehensive vision for an equitable and high-quality education system. Apart from his scientific contributions, Dr Kasturirangan played a vital role in shaping India's education and science policy. He chaired the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), a transformative document aimed at modernizing India's education system to make it more holistic, flexible, and aligned with the needs of the 21st century. The policy emphasizes early childhood education, foundational literacy, research, and multidisciplinary learning. He was the Member (Science), planning commission from 2009 to 2014 and instrumental in formulating the 12th Five Year Plan of the science and technology sector of India. Dr Kasturirangan made a significant contribution to environmental conservation through his role as the Chairman of the high level working group on Western Ghats, popularly known as Kasturirangan committee. Professor Kasturirangan's influence extended far beyond space and education. He held significant positions such as Member of the Planning Commission, Member of the Rajya Sabha from 2003-2009 and Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. In these roles, he consistently championed science, technology, and education, advocating for policies that fostered innovation and societal progress. His insightful contributions to policymaking across diverse sectors demonstrated his wide-ranging expertise and his unwavering dedication to national development. His dedication and accomplishments earned him numerous prestigious awards, including the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, India's highest civilian honours, as well as international recognition for his scientific and technological contributions. These accolades underscore the profound impact he had on India and the world. In the Indian tradition, it is believed that the seeds sown by great individuals' blossom into mighty trees, offering shade and sustenance for generations to come, thereby forming a rich ecosystem, and legacies down the line. Professor Kasturirangan's visionary work in space and education has indeed grown into such lofty trees, inspiring countless individuals to pursue careers in science and contribute to the nation's progress. His indomitable spirit, characterized by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence, will continue to energize future scientific endeavours in the country. Let us honour this great inspiration through our own sincere, relentless, and selfless hard work towards building a stronger and more prosperous India.
Hindustan Times
26-04-2025
- Science
- Hindustan Times
Space scientist who helmed Isro, shaped NEP, dies at 84
Eminent space scientist and former chairman of Isro, Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan passed away on Friday morning at the age of 84. 'He left for heavenly abode this morning at his residence in Bengaluru. His body will be kept at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) for paying last respects on April 27,' read a statement from Isro. Kasturirangan had been unwell for some time. In 2023, he was admitted to a hospital in Bengaluru after being airlifted from Sri Lanka where he suffered a heart attack. Since then, he had reduced his public engagements. Born in Ernakulam, Kerala, Kasturirangan graduated in BSc (Honours) from Ramnarain Ruia College, Mumbai, and completed MSc in physics from the University of Mumbai. He went on to complete his PhD in experimental high energy astronomy on 1971 from the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad. Between 1994 and 2003, Kasturirangan headed Isro. Awarded the Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award, he was the fourth chairman of the space agency. He was also awarded Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri. As news of his death spread, tributes poured in on social media platforms. In a post on X, Prime minister Narendra Modi said, 'I am deeply saddened by the passing of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, a towering figure in India's scientific and educational journey… 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 further said, 'India will always be grateful to Dr. Kasturirangan for his efforts during the drafting of the National Education Policy (NEP) and in ensuring that learning in India became more holistic and forward-looking. He was also an outstanding mentor to many young scientists and researchers. My thoughts are with his family, students, scientists and countless admirers. Om Shanti.' A post by official 'X' account of Rashtrapati Bhavan read, '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. He helped draft the National Education Policy, which is already making a profound impact on the shaping of the next generation.' Describing Kasturirangan as a 'guiding force behind Indian space prorgamme on X, Jitendra Singh, minister of state for science and technology, said, 'His contributions to ISRO and Indian science will be remembered for generations.' At Isro, he spearheaded the successful launch and operationalisation of the PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and the first successful flight tests of the GSLV (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle), and laid the groundwork for Chandrayaan, country's mission to the moon. K Sivan, former Isro chairman, recalled his interactions with Kasturirangan when he joined the space agency as an engineer in 1982. 'When I was working on PSLV and GSLV projects, I closely interacted with him and got a lot of advice from him. I continued getting his advice even when I became chairman of Isro. He has shaped present-day Isro,' said Sivan. 'He contributed nationally in all areas, from space to education. He also served as Rajya Sabha member and led the Western Ghats committee. It's a loss for the nation.' Kasturiragan was also project director for BHASKARA-I and II, the country's first two experimental earth observation satellites, and was also responsible for the success of the first operational Indian remote-sensing satellite, IRS-1A. He also shaped India's most ambitious space-based High Energy Astronomy Observatory. Stating that Isro took giant strides during his tenure, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said Kasturirangan was an advisor to various governments in different areas. 'I recall our long and close association, especially during my ministerial tenure during 2006-2014. Our numerous conversations over the years on various aspects of Indian science and technology greatly enriched my understanding of it. He would often tell me how profoundly he had been impacted personally and professionally by those two titans Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan. The nation is in his debt,' read his post on X. Kasturirangan wore many hats. He was a nominated Rajya Sabha member and a Planning Commission member. He also chaired the drafting committee of the new NEP (National Education Policy) , served as chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and as chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. He was also the director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru, from April 2004 to 2009. In 2012, he chaired the high-level working group on Western Ghats that was constituted by the union environment ministry. Ashish Dhawan, founding chairperson of Ashoka University, who interacted with Kasturirangan in the context of NEP said the two big things in NEP document that Kasturirangan was passionate about was the idea of foundational learning for students by the end of Class 2, and holistic and interdisciplinary education in higher education. 'He was of the firm view that a child's educational base has to be strong and should be taken up as number one priority and on mission mode. The Nipun Bharat mission (to achieve universal foundational literacy and numeracy in primary schools) emanated from his idea. Therefore, it's huge contribution,' said Dhawan. 'In higher education, his idea was that every university and educational institute should offer core curriculum in the first year. For instance, offering economics, history, politics at IITs regardless of technical education. And we now see many IITs building departments in subjects like philosophy and economics.' Former director general fof the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research RA Mashelkar described Dr Kasturirangan his 'very dear friend, an iconic space tech leader and one of the finest human being is no more. In his post on X, Mashelkar said Kasturirangan charted India's path to the stars through Isro, but also lit a lamp in every young mind through NEP 2020. 'His legacy will be etched not just in the orbits of our satellites, but in the aspirations of our classrooms. In my 40+ years of friendship, I saw how intellect met integrity, ambition was tempered by wisdom, and power was adorned with humility. Rangan, a guiding star may set beyond the horizon, but its light endures, timeless and unbound.'
