Jayant Narlikar who passed away at 87 dedicated his life to science. He challenged dominant theories, nurtured talent and made niche research accessible.
He pushed the limits of possibilities. No mean author of science fiction, he took his readers on exploratory journeys.
Not only did he challenge existing theories, the eminent astrophysicist burnt the candle at both ends to substantiate his claims. Narlikar had a long association with noted British astrophysicist, Fred Hoyle producing the most significant critique of the secret Big Bang theory.
This critique contends that the universe did not originate in one big bang. It existed for a long time and developed in small spurts. The building blocks of this Hoyle-Narlikar Quasi Steady State Cosmology theory were forced when young Narlikar worked with his mentor in Cambridge.
Narlikar can be a role model to many of the modern day young scientists who leave the country to avail greater facilities abroad. He gave up a thriving career in renowned global laboratories to nurture research and hone talent in Indian institutions.
In 1972, he took up a position in Tata Institute of Fundamental Research. He trained scientists at TIFR whose contribution is significant in Indian astrophysics.
Narlikar was more than an academic. He wrote scripts for the television and was a regular contributor to newspapers as well.
He would often use the example of vegetable prices to explain quasi-steady cosmology theory. Veggy prices go up and down depending on seasons, but over s decade they go up, regardless of the season.
Likewise,. Narlikar would say, the universe goes through contraction and expansion. But it evolved over the long term.
In his novel, The Return of Vanan in which machines outwit its programmers, Narlikar outlined the predicaments of the AI age. He drew from Indian traditions.
But all his life, Narlikar made it a mission to counter pseudoscience and astrology. He underscores that there is no shortcut to excellence even as he put his best foot forward to make science accessible.
