Pope nominates Indian scientist member of Vatican's science academy

(Dec. 16, 2006) Pope Benedict XVI on Saturday nominated an Indian scientist as member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences. Professor Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, currently the director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) in Bangalore and honorary professor at the Physical Research Laboratory of Ahmedabad, is the newest member of the academy in which there are two others of Indian origin – namely V. Ramanathan and Chintamani Rao.
Born on October 24, 1940 in Ernakulam, in southern India’s Kerala state, Dr. Kasturirangan took his Bachelor of Science with Honours and Master of Science Degree in Physics from Bombay University, and a Doctorate in High Energy Astronomy from the Physical Research Laboratory of Ahmedabad. In his long research career, he made fundamental contributions in X-ray and Gama Ray Astronomy, effect of Cosmic X-rays in lower Ionosphere, in satellite instrumentation as well as optical astronomy. After joining Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), in 1971, Dr. Kasturirangan played key roles in programmes such as Bhaskara and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS), as well as in the building of satellite capabilities. He was Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation, of Space Commission and Secretary to the Government of India in the Department of Space, before laying down his office on August 27, 2003. He was earlier the Director of ISRO Satellite Centre. Dr. Kasturirangan is also a member of the Rajya Sabha or the upper house of parliament. Among the many honours bestowed on him are India’s highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan, and France’s highest decoration for foreigners, The Legion of Honour.