Narlikar inspired young minds, guided aspiring scientists with cosmic storytelling
Nagpur: Internationally-acclaimed
astrophysicist
and science communicator,
Jayant Narlikar
, maintained strong ties with the scientific, academic, and literary scenario in Nagpur and Vidarbha. Though Narlikar was based in Pune, where he breathed his last on Tuesday, his frequent interactions and visits with regional science forums and his ability to communicate science in Marathi made him a respected figure in the region.
Dr Narlikar's tryst with Nagpur dates back to the 1980s when he visited the Govt Science College to guide aspiring scientists. Over the years, he continued to inspire young minds through engagements at institutions like Shri Shivaji Science College, where he participated in the INSPIRE programme — always emphasising the need to blend scientific inquiry with ethical clarity and cultural consciousness.
As news of his demise spread, leading personalities from Nagpur and Maharashtra paid heartfelt tributes to the late scientist. Chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said, "A brilliant mind who illuminated India's scientific image and established the importance of
astronomy
has departed. Dr Narlikar's contribution to
Indian science
is unmatched."
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, expressing deep sorrow, tweeted, "The nation has lost a celestial beacon in the world of astrophysics. Dr Narlikar simplified complex scientific ideas for the common man and was tireless in his efforts to spread scientific thinking."
Dr Prakash Amte called it "a deeply sad moment," recalling Narlikar's decades-long commitment to research and
science communication
: "He utilised every medium — books, articles, lectures — to make astronomy understandable for the masses," said Amte.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Click Here - This Might Save You From Losing Money
Expertinspector
Click Here
Undo
Vidarbha Sahitya Sangh (VSS) president Pradip Date highlighted Narlikar's impact on science fiction in Marathi: "He gave Marathi literature a taste for science storytelling. He used to say that if science is bitter, fiction is the sugar coating that helps people absorb it."
Ashish Shelar, minister of cultural affairs, said, "Dr Narlikar's work on the origin of the universe and his efforts to democratise science are lighthouses for current and future generations."
MLC Sandip Joshi paid tribute, calling Narlikar "an inspiring writer and science communicator whose work gave Indian science a global platform". "A brilliant star has set," he said.
MLC Dr Parinay Fuke stressed Dr Narlikar modernised Indian astronomy and scientific thought. "He made science part of common discourse through his simple yet powerful writing," said Fuke.
Academicians, scientists, social workers, and literature lovers also paid glowing tributes to Narlikar.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Death cap alert: Experts urge caution amid spike in poisonous mushroom growth in Australia
As rainfall and cooler weather blanket parts of New South Wales and South Australia, health authorities are issuing a serious warning: stay away from wild mushrooms. The alert comes after an uptick in sightings of one of the world's most poisonous fungi—the death cap mushroom—with recent detections in Sydney, the southern highlands, other areas of southern NSW, and the Adelaide Hills. Children are especially at risk, and experts are urging extreme caution. 'They're usually associated with the roots of oak trees and exotics, as well as cooler areas,' said Professor Brett Summerell, chief scientist at the Botanic Gardens of Sydney. 'In Sydney, we've found them in areas with established trees.' What is a death cap mushroom? Death cap (Amanita phalloides) is a deadly poisonous mushroom from the Amanita genus. Originally native to Europe, it was first confirmed in Australia in the 1960s in Canberra, with later discoveries in Melbourne during the 1970s. Since then, it has spread to Asia, Africa, and the Americas—likely by hitching rides on imported tree roots. This mushroom is infamous for its lethal nature, being responsible for 90% of mushroom-related deaths globally. How to recognize a death cap One of the death cap's most dangerous traits is its resemblance to edible mushrooms. Many who fall ill mistake it for field mushrooms (Agaricus campestris) or the popular paddy straw mushrooms (Volvariella volvacea). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Key characteristics to look out for: Cap: 4–16 cm wide; greenish-yellow, brown, tan, or rarely white with potential metallic sheen Gills: White, closely spaced, and not attached to the stalk Stalk (Stipe): White or yellowish, 4–18 cm tall with a distinctive ring and bulbous base (volva) Flesh: White, does not change color when cut Spore print: White Odor: Mild and pleasant when young; foul as it ages To the untrained eye, they're nearly indistinguishable from edible varieties sold in supermarkets. Where and when they grow Death cap mushrooms (Amanita phalloides) are native to Europe and are now found in many parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and parts of Asia. They typically grow in association with trees, forming a symbiotic relationship called ectomycorrhiza, particularly with oak, beech, chestnut, birch, and some conifers like pine and spruce. NSW Health has not disclosed precise locations to discourage public foraging. However, in 2023 alone, 23 people were hospitalized in NSW and the ACT due to mushroom poisoning—including two children under five. Symptoms of death cap poisoning The real danger lies in the delayed onset of symptoms—usually appearing 6 to 24 hours after ingestion—which can prevent victims from linking their illness to the mushrooms. Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. While initial discomfort may seem to pass, the toxins continue to cause devastating damage to the liver and kidneys. The momentary relief often delays medical treatment, increasing the risk of organ failure, coma, and death. The mushroom contains three major toxins—amatoxins, phallotoxins, and virotoxins—that are not destroyed by cooking, freezing, boiling, or drying. Just half of one mushroom can be enough to kill an adult. What to do if you have death cap mushroom poisoning According to WebMD, diagnosing death cap poisoning can be tricky because its early symptoms mimic other illnesses and may briefly improve, giving a false sense of recovery. If you've consumed wild mushrooms and develop any of the above symptoms, immediately call your local poison control center and seek emergency medical attention. Be sure to alert doctors that you recently ate wild mushrooms, and if possible, bring a sample of the mushroom with you to assist in diagnosis and treatment. Early treatment is crucial. The goal in the early stages is to stabilize the patient and minimize toxin absorption. Treatment may involve: Pumping the stomach Activated charcoal to bind toxins Surgical removal of mushroom fragments IV fluids and electrolyte management In severe cases—particularly when liver damage is advanced—a liver transplant may be the only life-saving option. Some experimental treatments, such as the medical dye indocyanine green, have shown promise in mice but have not yet been tested in humans. Milk thistle extract (Silybum marianum) is also being studied for its ability to protect the liver by slowing down toxin circulation. Mushroom with a royal history of tragedy Death caps have claimed high-profile victims throughout history. Their consumption is believed to have caused the death of Holy Roman Emperor Charles VI, and possibly even Roman Emperor Claudius. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
QS Rankings 2026: Top 10 Indian Institutes With Best Sustainability Rankings
QS Rankings 2026: The QS World University Rankings, released on Thursday featured the best performing institutions around the world. A total of 54 Indian institutions made it to the QS Global Rankings with Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi as the best performing Indian institution. The Sustainability Score evaluates how well an institution contributes to areas such as waste reduction, energy efficiency, student well-being, transparency, and ethical decision-making. Here are the top 10 Indian institutions according to the QS World Rankings 2026 with their sustainability scores: The best performing Indian institute is the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi with an overall rank of 123 among the top institutions around the world. IIT, Delhi earned a sustainability score of 79.9. The second Indian institution is the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) with an overall 129 rank. IIT, Bombay earned a sustainability score of 75.2. Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) with an overall 180th position, earned a sustainability score of 73. Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT-KGP) secured the 215th position overall, earning a sustainability score of 77.8. Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore acquired 219 rank among the top institutions according to the QS World Rankings 2025 with a sustainability score of 66.3. Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK) secured an overall rank of 222, earning a sustainability score of 74.7. University of Delhi got an overall rank of 328 and a sustainability score of 71.2. Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IITG) achieved the lowest sustainability score of 43 among the top 10 Indian institutions in QS World University Rankings 2026, with an overall rank of 334. Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IITR) with an overall rank of 339 earned a sustainability score of 57.5. Anna University, Chennai at 465th rank achieved a sustainability score of 64.5. A total of eight Indian universities debuted in the QS Global University Rankings this year, reflecting a positive growth in the overall quality of higher education institutions of the country.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Axiom launch: Shubhanshu Shukla to take part in these 7 experiments in space
Axiom Mission 4 (Ax‑4) is all geared up to take off to its destination, International Space Station (ISS), from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla will be part of the crew. He and other team members will conduct several experiments in space. The experiments that are to be conducted by Shukla, are developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other Indian institutions.(AFP) The launch, which was scheduled on Sunday, June 22, has been delayed. While the launch shas been postponed until further notice, Shukla and Axiom Mission will be reportedly conducting these 7 experiments in space. The experiments are developed by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and other Indian institutions. 1. Myogenesis Co-ordinated by the Institute of Stem Cell Science and Regenerative Medicine (InStem), India, one of India's research missions as part of Axiom includes looking for the causes of muscle atrophy. Since astronauts suffer from muscle loss in space, Shukla will be looking into its causes in microgravity and identifying therapy-based strategies to deal with it. 2. Food crop seeds in microgravity Co-ordinated by Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology and Kerala Agricultural University, seeds of six varieties of crops will be taken to space to test their growth and development. Kerala Agricultural University expects to look for genetic properties that can be used for crop cultivation in space. 3. Sprouting salad seeds in the International Space Station (ISS) Co-ordinated by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Dharwad and Indian Institute of Technology, Dharwad, this experiment aims to look for the effect of space on the process of germination and thriving of seeds. The seeds will be cultivated across generations to observe genetic and nutritional changes after the mission. 4. Voyager tardigrade Co-ordinated by Indian Institute of Science, this experiment aims towards finding the underlying reason behind how the almost indestructible micro-animals cope under extreme stress. The process involves rehydrating the organisms and studying their existence and healing procedures in space. 5. Voyager displays Also coordinated by Indian Institute of Science, this experiment will dive deep into researching the physical and cognitive consequences of computer screen usage in space by observing actions like pointing at the screen, and eyeball movements. It will also shed light on its effects on the astronaut's stress levels. 6. Cyanobacteria in microgravity Co-ordinated by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) with the European Space Agency (ESA), this experiment aims at examining cyanobacteria or water bacteria's photosynthesis abilities. Two strains of this bacterium will be experimented with to find out about their growth rates and biochemical activities in space. 7. Space microalgae Co-ordinated by the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) & National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), India, this experiment will research into the metabolism, growth and genetic activities of microalgae without gravity, in space. Three strains of microalgae will undergo this experiment. With inputs from PTI
