Guiding light in astronomy and cosmology: Dr. Jayant Narlikar!

Hello. Dr. Jayant Narlikar passed away! Narlikar sir introduced astronomy to many persons! Despite of being at a very high position abroad, he returned to India for popularization of science! A scientist, teacher and science educator par excellence! I was fortunate to meet him twice. I had even received his letters. This is a small attempt to write my memories.

I still remember the day- 22nd January 1995. In a literature festival in Parbhani, Maharashtra, one of my senior friend told me to purchase Dr. Narlikar's "Preshit" (a science novel). I was ten then. Reading that novel thrilled me like anything. I completed it the same night and was taken aback to know about a new world. Search for aliens, modern scientific development, conditions on a giant star, other interesting aspects of science and a very stimulating story- line! In next few years, I read this novel for more than 35 times and also read other novels and science- stories by Narlikar sir. I even wrote to him to share my reaction and remarkably, I received his replies two times! I just loved his science novels and stories. His science- books were difficult to understand. But his writings created a strong interest in science and thus my taste developed. As a result, in 1997 when I was in Eight Standard, I had started an astronomical journal and it went on for around an year. It had even reached IUCAA's library!

In March 1999, Dr. Narlikar sir had visited Nanded in Maharashtra. I had gone to his lecture and could see him closely. My maternal uncle Nandan Phatak and his friend Dr. Ram Mohan Rao were there to meet Dr. Narlikar. I could set planet Jupiter from the large telescope of Rao sir! Later on also I had attended one of his lecture. At that time, it was difficult to understand concepts related to his research and the technical aspects and even now it is difficult! But slowly a scientist and a man was understood. Be it the 24- October 1995 solar eclipse when he was on Doordarshan to guide observation. Or his stories and tales in science shared with the students! Such cassettes were there in those times.

It was he who cultivated liking for astronomy in many people like me. His main subjects were astronomy and cosmology (science of construction of the universe). That made him actually a shining star of Indian astronomy. He became the face of astronomy and science popularization. His books as well as his autobiography "A tale of four cities" was treat for the students. In his stories and writings, he would always present many puzzles and mathematical questions. For example, what is unique in 153 number? It is also there in 370, 371 and 407. What would be the easiest way to do this calculation- 1 + 2 + 3 + ... + 100! There is a bed-sheet placed on a large mattress. How we can take out a ball kept in centre of the bed-sheet without touching it? If an airplane is flying at 60 degree north towards West and if its speed is more than the rotational speed of the Earth, then even after the Sun-set, the Sun- rise can be seen in West direction! He had even shared his memories as a young student- On a blackboard in his houses, plenty of mathematical puzzles and problems were always given and discussed! Through all this, Dr. Narlikar sir provided tonic for development of scientific outlook and multi- level thinking. His writings give this treat.

Later on we came to know hos his contribution institutes and projects such as TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research), IUCAA (Inter University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics), GMRT (Giant Meter Wave Radio Telescope) and others was so significant. He was right there to do research along side the top scientists in the world like Fred Hoyle and others. He had received myriads of educational awards, scholarships and fellowships. But right at the peak of his career in 1972, at the age of 34 years, he returned to India and started his work with TIFR. Moving against the tide was not easy. He had many difficulties. It was troublesome to come to India and start his new innings. Here there was the culture of "red tape" and bureaucracy everywhere! But he continued silently. After completing 16 years at TIFR and after getting settled there in 1988, he again started his new innings in Pune in form of IUCAA. Despite of his towering talent and merit, he strongly remained grounded. Memories of his colleagues, his wife Mangalaji and others reveal a humble person in him. Thus we come to know his modesty, discipline and his tremendous love towards his work.

He had mainly educated in Hindi medium in North India and later on he was educated in England. Therefore he felt that his Marathi was not that good. But still he was determined to write about science in Marathi and even his writing inspired the next generation of writers. He was not sure about the response that his first scientific story would get and therefore he used a nickname. But afterward, he wrote a great deal and he is great even solely as a science writer. His writing touches up on all aspects of modern science- scientific attitude, technology, dangers in using technology, understanding that humans need to have along with science, need for benefit of science to reach out to all social sections, environment and other aspects.

Dr. Narlikar was an opponent of Big Bang theory and a supporter of Steady State theory. That means, he was of the opinion that the universe did not start through the Big Bang, but it was already there from the beginning and it will continue to be so. Also, energy can neither be created nor be destroyed, but only can be converted. Therefore although after around 87 earth revolutions of Sun, around seven Jupiter revolutions and around three Saturn revolutions from the time of his birth, his body has left us; he will continue to with us in form of inspiration and guidance in "steady state" manner.

A scientist doing research should remain social and should remain connected with the society. He demonstrated it the best. Not everyone can make science easy to understand for others, but one should always try, he put forth through his example. His discipline to do his own tasks himself, his discipline and even in old age, his passion of walking near his house! After receiving so much from him, I feel thrilled to follow the same path and take baby steps in that direction.

Many years ago, on Doordarshan, there was one song with people passing the baton to others. Kapil Dev also was there in that song. A gorgeous girl was there in the end. Now it is our responsibility to carry forward and pass this baton of science popularization given by him!

(Thanks for reading. You can share with your near ones. - Niranjan Welankar 09422108376. Sky watching, meditation, fun learn and fitness sessions. Date of writing the article: 21 May 2025)