Key Highlights:
Kasturi Rangan: A National Icon in Space and Education Passes Away at 84
India on April 25, 2025, lost one of its most respected scientific minds, Kasturi Rangan, who passed away in Bengaluru at the age of 84. Known for spearheading ISRO’s golden era and laying the foundation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, his legacy spans both space research and educational transformation.
Born in Kerala in 1940, Kasturi Rangan’s early academic excellence in physics evolved into a career that transformed India’s scientific and educational landscape.
A Decade of Milestones at ISRO
From 1994 to 2003, Kasturi Rangan led the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) with a vision that redefined India’s space aspirations. Key highlights of his leadership include:
- The operational success of PSLV and GSLV launch vehicles
- Expansion of India’s INSAT and IRS satellite programs
- The conceptualization of Chandrayaan-1, India’s first mission to the Moon
He is credited with turning India into a self-reliant and globally respected space power.
Father of the National Education Policy 2020
Kasturi Rangan was also the principal architect of India’s National Education Policy 2020, which reshaped the country’s academic framework for the 21st century. His visionary ideas led to:
- Multidisciplinary and flexible academic structures
- Emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy
- Integration of vocational education at all levels
- A shift toward student-centric learning and teacher training
His work ensured that India’s youth would be equipped for a future defined by innovation and inclusion.
Tributes from Across the Nation
Following the news of Kasturi Rangan’s demise, tributes poured in from all quarters. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan praised him as “the guiding light of India’s space journey.” Prime Minister Narendra Modi called him a “visionary who redefined India’s scientific and educational path.”
His mortal remains were kept at Raman Research Institute, Bengaluru, for public homage, and he was laid to rest with full state honors.
What Lies Ahead
Kasturi Rangan’s life serves as a powerful example of scientific excellence, policy leadership, and national service. His dual contributions to India’s space exploration and education reform have left an enduring legacy that will guide the country’s future.
As India continues to dream bigger in space and education, his work will remain a cornerstone of that pursuit.
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