Scientist who brought science to country’s living rooms dies at 90
Prof Yash Pal, one of India’s most respected scientists who brought popular science to the country’s living rooms, died on Tuesday. He was 90.
Sourced said he passed away at the Max Hospital in Noida on Tuesday morning.
Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, Yash Pal featured in a popular science series, Turning Point, on Doordarshan in the 80s and became a household name for explaining scientific concepts in layman’s language.
In 2009, Unesco honoured him with the Kalinga Prize for popularisation of science.
In his report ‘Learning without burden’, Prof Yash Pal had raised concern over the load of school bags and rote learning.
Condoling the eminent scientists death, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter, “Pained by Professor Yash Pal’s demise. We have lost a brilliant scientist & academician who made a lasting contribution to Indian education.”
The former University Grants Commission chairman, started his career at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
“Thank you Professor #YashPal for all the Science! It’s sad to see you gone, it’s a huge loss, but you’ll always stay with us. Om Shanti,” Minister of science and technology and earth sciences Harsh Vardhan tweeted.
“With his loss, the country has lost a link with the generation with that of Dr Homi Bhabha and Dr Vikram Sarabhai,” said VijayRaghvan, secretary, department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology.