Yash Pal gained recognition for his contributions to the study of Cosmic Rays, as well as for being an institution-builder
Eminent scientist and academician Professor Yash Pal passed away in Noida, Uttar Pradesh on July 24, 2017. Born in 1926 in Jhang, Punjab (now in Pakistan), Yashpal graduated with a master’s degree in physics from Punjab University, Chandigarh in 1949 and gained a PhD degree in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958. The 1976 Padma Bhushan award-winning scientist gained recognition for his contributions to the study of Cosmic Rays, as well as for being an institution-builder.
Condolences on passing of eminent scientist & academician Prof. Yash Pal; his valuable contributions shall be remembered #President Kovind—@rashtrapatibhvn Pained by Professor Yash Pal”s demise. We have lost a brilliant scientist & academician who made a lasting contribution to Indian education. –@narendramodi |
Yash Pal started his career at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai, as a member of the Cosmic Rays group. In 1972, the Government of India set up its Department of Space and embarked on an independent space programme. Yash Pal took charge as the first Director of the newly set up Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad, in 1973. At the same time, he continued to be on the faculty of TIFR.
Yash Pal”s administrative assignments at the government-level and beyond began with his appointment as the Secretary General of the Second United Nations Conference on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (1981–82). He held the posts of Chief Consultant, Planning Commission (1983–84) and Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (1984–1986), after which he was appointed chairman, University Grants Commission (UGC) (1986–91). During his tenure as UGC chairman, he advocated the setting up of Inter-University Centres funded by the UGC, on the model of the Nuclear Science Centre (now Inter-University Accelerator Centre), New Delhi. Institutions such as the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) emerged from this vision.
Pal was a member of UN Advisory Committee on Science and Technology for Development, Scientific Council, International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste and Executive Committee and United Nations University. He was Vice President of International Union of Pure and Applied Physics Indian National Science Academy in the year 1980-1981. Pal also served as the Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University from 2007 to 2012. His science-based programme on Doordarshan titled ‘Turning Point’ was so popular in the 90s.
Owing to his achievements in the fields of science and academics, Professor Yash Pal was awarded the Macroni International Fellowship Award in 1980. Indian Science Congress Association (ISCA) bestowed on him the prestigious GP Chatterjee Memorial Award in 1987. He was also honoured with the Association of Space Explorers Award in 1989. In 2013, Professor Yash Pal was given the country’s second highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan. In 2009, Yash Pal chaired the Ministry of Human Resource Development Committee on Higher Education, he submitted a report on “Renovation and Rejuvenation of Higher Education in India”. The 90-year-old scientist had earlier battled with lung cancer and overcame the disease around five years ago. He was admitted in hospital due to age-old ailments at the time of his death.
—Organiser Bureau
