NEW DELHI/BENGALURU, April 25: Former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan, who was at the helm of the space agency for nearly a decade, passed away in Bengaluru on Friday, officials said.
He was 84 and is survived by two sons, family sources said, and added that he was suffering from age-related ailments for the past few months. “He left for heavenly abode this morning at his residence in Bengaluru. His body will be kept at Raman Research Institute (RRI) for paying last respects on April 27,” the officials said.
Condoling his death, Droupadi Murmu said on X: “Saddened to learn that Dr Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan is no more. As head of ISRO, he played a stellar role in the evolution of India’s space programme.” She also noted that Kasturirangan helped draft the National Education Policy (NEP), which is already making a profound impact on the shaping of the next generation.
Related Posts:
In his condolence message, Prime Minister Narendra Modi described him as a “towering figure in India’s scientific and educational journey.” The space scientist’s visionary leadership and selfless contribution to the nation will always be remembered, Modi said on X. He said Kasturirangan 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 focused on innovation.
“India will always be grateful to Dr Kasturirangan for his efforts during the drafting of the NEP and in ensuring that learning in India became more holistic and forward-looking,” the Prime Minister noted.
Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah said the death of renowned astrophysicist Kasturirangan, who raised India’s flag in the field of space technology, is shocking. Kasturirangan had immense love and concern for Karnataka, the chief minister said on X. “Dr Kasturirangan’s long-standing service as Chairman of India’s proud ISRO and Director of the Centre’s Space Council has made India internationally recognised in the field of space science,” he added.
From a renowned space scientist to an educationist, Kasturirangan put his stamp on key milestones in India’s space missions and education reforms, earning him the title of “encyclopedia” in both arenas.
He steered the Indian space programme gloriously for more than nine years as the ISRO chief, head of the Space Commission and secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space, before laying down his office on August 27, 2003.
He was the project director for India’s first two experimental earth observation satellites — BHASKARA-I and II — and subsequently was also responsible for the overall direction of the first operational Indian remote-sensing satellite, IRS-1A.
He was also a recipient of three major civilian awards — Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Vibhushan (2000).
Former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda too expressed his grief over Kasturirangan’s demise. Calling him an eminent scientist, science administrator and educationist, Gowda said, the space scientist’s contributions to the scientific development of India will be remembered for long. Chairperson of the drafting committee on the new NEP, Kasturirangan, had also served as chancellor of the Jawaharlal Nehru University and chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission.
He was also a member of the Rajya Sabha (2003–09).
Born on October 24, 1940, at Ernakulam in Kerala, his family had settled at Chalakudy in Thrissur district. His mother was hailing from a Palakkad Iyer family. (PTI)
