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India Today
18-05-2025
- General
- India Today
Europe diaries: The legacy of Chhatrapati Rajaram
He was a unique king, the first princely ruler in colonial India to sail to foreign shores by breaching rigid and obscurantist norms against crossing the seas, which according to orthodox Hindu customs could result in loss of caste. Like his life and his short but significant reign that saw the launch of initiatives to take education to the unlettered masses, the death of Chhatrapati Rajaram would also be he suddenly succumbed to an illness at the age of 20 at Florence in Italy, he was cremated according to Hindu rites and an exemption was made by the Catholic Church, which otherwise frowned on cremations. His memorial stands in the erstwhile capital of Italy even as Nagojirao in the Patankar family, Rajaram had been adopted as his heir at the age of 16 in 1866 by Chhatrapati Shivaji III aka Babasaheb Maharaj, the ruler of Kolhapur. The rulers of the Kolhapur state were the descendants of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Nagojirao was the son of Babasaheb Maharaj's sister Aaubai. The British appointed Captain Edward West of the Bombay Staff Corps and the assistant to Colonel G.S.A. Andersen, the political agent of Kolhapur and Southern Maratha Country, as his guide. Jamsedjee Nowrojee Unwalla, a graduate of the University of Bombay, was appointed as the Chhatrapati's gaining education and expertise in statecraft himself, Rajaram Maharaj was eager to ensure that modern education percolated to the masses. He hence launched the Kolhapur high school in 1870. It would be renamed as the 'Rajaram high school' after his the Duke of Edinburgh came to Bombay in 1870, the Maharaja was inspired to visit England. 'He had long before expressed a wish to see that country, and at first there were those that fancied this to be a mere sentiment which he did not wish really to act upon, for the obstacles a Hindoo has to overcome, and the prejudices he has to encounter, before going on such a journey are very great. He resolutely however faced all difficulties, and when the step was sanctioned by the Bombay Government sailed from Bombay,' says the introduction to the diary penned by Captain Maharaj was accompanied by West, his Parsi tutor Unwalla and 11 attendants as he sailed abroad in June 1870. Till November 1870, Chhatrapati Rajaram toured many countries in Europe and met the nobility, including Queen Victoria. He also met the British statesman and prime minister William Ewart Gladstone, the Indian nationalist leader Dadabhai Naoroji and the vice-chancellor of the Oxford Rajaram also visited the Royal Geographical Society, British Parliament, India Office, Bank of England, post office, textile mills, museums and palaces. He studied the finer details of these institutions and also took classes in dance and participated in sports. The Maharaja also spoke in English in public engagements. More crucially, he penned down his experiences and observations in his Rajaram wanted to implement these ideas in his princely state. However, he was assailed by the biting cold in Europe and while he was staying in a hotel at Florence in Italy, the king passed away suddenly of an illness in November retinue insisted on a funeral ceremony as per Hindu customs. However, there was a hitch. The Catholic church frowned on cremations and the local city government had banned the practice. Finally, the cremation was performed at the confluence of the Arno and Mugnone after midnight and a number of local residents had turned up ignoring the severe cold. Later, the British government built a memorial—Monumento all'Indiano, or Monument to the Indian, at the site in the form of a 'chhatri' or dome, which houses the bust of the prince, who is depicted wearing a Maratha-style turban. In 1911, Chhatrapati Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, who was his successor, visited the Rajaram's diary was, however, published in 1872 as 'Diary of the late Rajah of Kolhapoor, during his visit to Europe in 1870'. Edited by Captain West, it was published in English. The diary contains the prince's observations about Europe, its institutions and technological innovations. His curiosity about western society and its institutions is obvious in the instance, at the Christ's college, he notes with admiration his visit to the library, 'which is one of the largest in the world'. 'This library is full of books and old manuscripts of several famous men. The gallery is full of the pictures of English sovereigns and statesmen,' he writes. When he was shown the telegraphic communication system between England and India and America, which had been completed, the king notes being 'struck at seeing that the Prince of Wales received the answer to his telegram from the Viceroy of India in five minutes'.It also shows that Chhatrapati Rajaram was keen to understand the political and administrative systems in Europe, the educational system and industries in these countries, and the co-relation of these institutions with the development of European diary has now been translated into Marathi by Raghunath Kadakane, head of the department of English at the Rajaram College in Kolhapur. The book has been published by the Shivaji University, Kolhapur, and was launched on April book was launched in the presence of Shahu Chhatrapati, the titular head of Kolhapur and Lok Sabha MP from Kolhapur; Shivaji University vice-chancellor D.T. Shirke, former NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development) chairman Y.S.P. Thorat; former Maharashtra minister Vikramsinh Patankar; Bal Patankar, descendant of the Patankar family; and historian and author Jaisingrao notes that as a king who trusted a Christian guide, a Parsi tutor, a Muslim doctor, and wanted to forge his personality and the course of his future state, Chhatrapati Rajaram could be described as a 'liberal Hindu king.' He added that despite this, his life and work had been neglected. Referring to the memorial at Florence, Kadakane said that this was important as it revealed how 'a ruler aged just 20 years from a small princely state in a huge country which was in colonial bondage had visited the country of the colonial overlords and secured love and honour from them'.Subscribe to India Today Magazine
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.
