Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Celebrating the Legacy of Dr. Jayant Narlikar: A Pioneer in Science and Literature
Dr. Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a distinguished Indian astrophysicist and science communicator, passed away on May 20, 2025, in Pune at the age of 87. Renowned for his significant contributions to cosmology and his efforts to popularize science, Dr. Narlikar's legacy continues to inspire generations.
🌌 A Life Dedicated to Science
Dr. Narlikar's academic journey began at Banaras Hindu University, followed by a stellar tenure at Cambridge University, where he earned his Ph.D. under the mentorship of Sir Fred Hoyle. His research challenged prevailing cosmological models, notably proposing alternatives to the Big Bang theory, such as the Steady State and Quasi-Steady State models. He served as the founding director of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, significantly advancing India's position in global astrophysical research.
📚 A Prolific Writer and Educator
Beyond his scientific endeavors, Dr. Narlikar was a prolific writer, authoring numerous books in English, Marathi, and Hindi. His works encompassed both non-fiction and fiction, aiming to make complex scientific concepts accessible to the general public.
Non-Fiction Works
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English:
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An Introduction to Cosmology (2002)
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A Different Approach to Cosmology (2000)
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Fred Hoyle’s Universe (2003)
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Scientific Edge: The Indian Scientist from Vedic to Modern Times (2003)
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Seven Wonders of the Cosmos (1995)
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From Black Clouds to Black Holes (1996)
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Marathi:
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आकाशाशी जडले नाते (Akashashi Jadale Nate)
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नभात हसरे तारे (Nabhat Hasare Tare)
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Fiction Works
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English:
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The Return of Vaman (1990)
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The Adventure
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The Comet
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Marathi:
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वामन परत न आला (Waman Parat Naa Aala)
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यक्षांची देणगी (Yakshanchi Denagi)
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अभयारण्य (Abhayāranya)
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व्हायरस (Virus)
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प्रेषित (Preshit)
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अंतराळातील भस्मासूर (Antarālatīl Bhasmāsūr)
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टाईम मशीनची किमया (Ṭā'im Maśīnchī Kimayā)
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उजव्या सोंडेचा गणपती (Ujavyā Sonḍēcā Gaṇapathī)
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Hindi:
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पार नज़र के (Pār Nazar Ke)
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His contributions to science education extended to his role as a consultant for NCERT's science and mathematics textbooks, shaping curricula that continue to influence students across India.
🏅 Honours and Recognition
Dr. Narlikar's exemplary work earned him numerous accolades, including:
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Padma Vibhushan (2004)
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Padma Bhushan (1965)
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Maharashtra Bhushan Award (2010)
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Kalinga Prize from UNESCO for science communication (1996)
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Sahitya Akademi Award for his autobiography Chaar Nagarantale Maze Vishwa (2014)
His death marks the loss of a distinguished scholar and beloved science communicator.
🧬 A Lasting Impact
Dr. Narlikar's dedication to bridging the gap between complex scientific theories and public understanding has left an indelible mark. His writings continue to serve as valuable resources for those interested in the cosmos and the wonders of science.
📘 Recommended Reads
For those interested in exploring Dr. Narlikar's works, consider starting with:
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An Introduction to Cosmology – A comprehensive guide to the universe's origins and structure.
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The Return of Vaman – A science fiction novel blending mythology with astrophysics.
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Scientific Edge – An exploration of India's scientific heritage and contributions.Infogalactic+1Wikipedia+1
These works offer a glimpse into the mind of a scientist who not only explored the universe but also made it accessible to all.
📘 Sources
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Wikipedia – Jayant Narlikar: A comprehensive overview of Dr. Narlikar's life, contributions, and bibliography.
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The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction: Detailed entries on Dr. Narlikar's science fiction works.
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The Economic Times: News article on Dr. Narlikar's passing and his contributions to science.
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Wikipedia – Geeta Narlikar: Information on Dr. Narlikar's daughter, Geeta Narlikar, a biochemist.
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Wikipedia – Amrita Narlikar: Information on Dr. Narlikar's daughter, Amrita Narlikar, an academic.
Sunday, May 18, 2025
Report on Knimbus Training Session: "Effective Use of Subscribed Resources” - 16th May 2025
The Learning and Information Resource Centre (LIRC) of St. Francis Institute of Technology organized a hands-on training session on 16th May 2025 titled “Effective Use of Subscribed Resources” in collaboration with Knimbus Digital Library Services. The training was aimed at enhancing awareness and usage of the digital resources subscribed to by the institute through the Knimbus platform.
Resource Person:
The session was conducted by Ms. Kanishka Jindal, Senior Executive from Knimbus. With a clear and practical approach, she engaged participants through a live demonstration of the platform's capabilities.
Key Highlights of the Session:
• Introduction to the Knimbus dashboard and user-friendly search features • Tips on advanced filtering, keyword optimization, and citation tracking • Accessing publisher-specific content such as IEEE, Springer, and McGraw-Hill • Exploring personalized features like Saved Searches, Alerts, and Notes • Overview of remote access options for off-campus research
• Q&A interaction to address participant-specific queries and technical issues
The training on "Effective Use of Subscribed Resources" successfully met its objectives of enabling participants to confidently utilize SFIT's digital library through Knimbus. It reinforced the role of digital platforms in supporting research, teaching, and learning, aligning with the institute’s commitment to academic excellence.
Friday, April 25, 2025
📚 World Book and Copyright Day -23rd April 2025: Report
Date: 23rd April 2025
Time: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Location: 2nd Floor, B Wing, LIRC
✨ Event Overview
On the occasion of World Book and Copyright Day, SFIT Library organized a Book Exhibition and Takeaway as well as a Quiz on Plagiarism. The initiative aimed to cultivate a strong reading habit, educate students about the importance of respecting intellectual property, and highlight the significance of honest academic work.
🎯 Objectives
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Encourage and foster reading habits among students.
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Promote awareness about copyright issues.
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Educate students on plagiarism and its prevention.
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Enable sharing of knowledge through book donations from staff and ex-students.
👥 Participation
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Book & Magazine Takeaway: 82 Beneficiaries
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Quiz on Plagiarism: 68 Responses
🏁 Outcome
The initiative was well-received and sparked interest in both reading and academic integrity. Suggestions were made to organize more such events, to further engage students and staff.
🌌 Discovery Alert: Evidence of Life 120 Light-Years Away!
Indian-origin astrophysicist Dr. Nikku Madhusudhan and his team at the University of Cambridge have detected dimethyl sulfide (DMS) in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b, located 120 light-years from Earth. On Earth, DMS is produced by marine life, suggesting the possibility of biological activity on this distant world.
Using data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope, the researchers found DMS alongside methane and carbon dioxide, indicating a hydrogen-rich, ocean-covered environment—characteristics of a "Hycean" planet.
While the findings are promising, Dr. Madhusudhan emphasizes the need for further observations to confirm the presence of life. This discovery opens new avenues in the search for extraterrestrial life beyond our solar system.
📚 For more details, read the full article: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/science/who-is-indian-origin-dr-nikku-madhusudhan-the-scientist-who-found-evidence-of-life-120-light-years-away-from-earth/articleshow/120369180.cms
#SpaceDiscovery #Exoplanet #LifeBeyondEarth #DrNikkuMadhusudhan #HyceanPlanet #JamesWebbSpaceTelescope
Thursday, April 24, 2025
Krishna Bharat: The Mind Behind Google News
Krishna Bharat: The Mind Behind Google News
Meet Krishna Bharat, the visionary behind Google News. A frustration with the cluttered, unreliable news on the internet led him to create one of the most popular and influential platforms we use today.
As an IIT Madras graduate, Bharat joined Google and used the company’s “20% time” policy—where employees could work on their own ideas—to build Google News. The platform, launched in 2002, became a game-changer in how we consume news.
Bharat’s other contributions include shaping products like Google Translate, Gmail, and Google Sky. He has since moved on to inspire innovations in AI and technology, but his work remains at the core of many services we rely on every day.
Read more about his journey and the frustrations that sparked this revolutionary idea:
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