Dr N Gopalakrishnan (68), a famous scientist and world-renowned spiritual speaker, died in Kochi on April 28, 2023. He had an unparalleled and deep knowledge of the Vedas, Upanishads and Puranas. He bagged international acclaim by successfully linking spirituality with science.
He has delivered more than 6000 YouTube speeches. The total duration of his TV talks is about 200 hours. He is known as the personality who propagated, in simple Malayalam language, the Hindu philosophies, Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharat, Ramayana, Vedas and Upanishads among the common people who found it difficult to grasp their intricacies; like Bhageeratha successfully worked hard to bring the Ganges to the plains. It looks like the continuation of Swami Chinmayananda Saraswatiji’s efforts to spread Hindu thoughts among the elite through his English oratory. Dr Gopalakrishnan used Malayalam as the medium since his target group was mainly ordinary Keralites.
Dr Gopalakrishnan’s YouTube talks always focused on contemporary issues like religious fundamentalism, terrorism, corruption of CPM and Congress administrations, the pitiful plight of the Hindus, the scientific basis of Hindu philosophies and rituals, etc. Hundreds of thousands of followers, spread all over the globe, have been anxiously awaiting his YouTube speeches every day. He had uploaded his last speech about two hours before his departure. He delivered talks throughout the country as well as abroad. IITs and famous universities were always keen to hear him. As Prime Minister rightly said, Dr Gopalakrishnan was a multifaceted personality.
Dr Gopalakrishnan started his social life as a Bala Swayamsevak of Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). As an organisational colleague of Dr Gopalakrishnan during their college days, the undersigned remembers what an excellent rapport he had cultivated with senior RSS leaders, including legendary Praanth Pracharak (of those days), late K. Bhaskar Rao, Ranga Hariji (former Akhil Bharatiya Boudhik Pramukh), late P. Madhavji, late Parameshwarji and even the then Dakshin Kshethriya Pracharak (later Sahsarkaryavah), late Yadav Rao Joshiji. During a students’ baithak (meeting) in Kochi in 1973, Gopalakrishnan, then a teenager, told Yadava Raoji that he would like to be a Hindu Missionary. Pat came to Yadav Raoji’s reply: “Come back to me when after completing your studies”.
Dr Gopalakrishnan was a renowned scientist at the Advanced Seismic Testing and Research Centre (ASTaR) of CSIR-Structural Engineering Centre (SERC) and assumed charge as the Director at CSIR–Central Building Research Institute (CBRI).
Qualification with Specialisation:
• M Sc (Master of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry).
• M Sc (Master of Science in Chemistry, Applied Chemistry
• MA (Master of Arts in Industrial Sociology)
• PhD (Plant Biochemistry)
• D. Litt. (Doctor of Literature in Science in Sanskrit)
• MBA (Master of Business Administration from IBS
• Degree Diploma in Journalism and Public Relations
• PhD in Bio-Chemistry
Gopalakrishnan had seven patents to his credit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: “Saddened by the passing away of Dr. N Gopalakrishnan Ji. He was a multifaceted personality. He made notable contributions to science and academia. He was also respected for his rich spiritual knowledge and interest in Indian philosophy. Condolences to his family, Om Shanti.”
Saddened by the passing away of Dr. N. Gopalakrishnan Ji. He was a multifaceted personality. He made notable contributions to science and academia. He was also respected for his rich spiritual knowledge and interest in Indian philosophy. Condolences to his family. Om Shanti.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 28, 2023
He is the only Bharatiya scientist who achieved Dr Litt for the research on the “Feasibility of Sanskrit in Science”. He published 50 papers in international magazines during his research period of 29 years. He has received six awards for scientific research and nine international awards for popularising science. He also achieved two international fellowships.
Dr Gopalakrishnan has authored 60 books. He has delivered several scientific speeches in US, UK and Canada. He has also delivered speeches in several speeches in Gulf countries. He was a Fellow in Albert Varsity, Canada, until the last moment. He is the founder of the Indian Institute of Scientific Heritage, Thiruvananthapuram. He was a scientist and director of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research, New Delhi. A trust led by him runs a sought-after CBSE-approved school in Thrissur.
Several condolence meetings are being carried out throughout the state. In Kochi, Sangh and inspired organisations they organised a programme where a galaxy of people from all walks of life participated as speakers and audience.
Adv. Mankato Vijayakumar (RSS Kochi Mahanagar Sanghchalak and former Assistant Solicitor General, Kerala High Court) presided. Brahmachari Achalamrutha Chaithanya of Matha Amruthanandamayi Mat, T Satisan (Senior Reporter – Kerala, “Organiser” & “Panchajanya” and Senate member, Goa University), Hindu Aikyavedi spokesman R.V. Babu, social worker M.R.S. Menon, Akhil Bharatiya Ayyappa Samajam national secretary S.J.R. Kumar, M.L. Ramesh (RSS worker and famous artist/sculptor), scholar professor Dr Lakshmi Sankar, leaders of various Sangh-inspired organisations and leaders of various community organisations spoke on occasion.
