Indian scientist, academician Yash Pal dies at 90

Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, Yash Pal featured in a popular science series, Turning Point, on Doordarshan in the 80s.

Prof Yash Pal, one of India’s most respected scientists who brought popular science to the country’s living rooms, died on Tuesday. He was 90.

Professor Yash Pal

Sourced said he passed away at the Max Hospital in Noida on Tuesday morning.

Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, Yash Pal featured in a popular science series, Turning Point, on Doordarshan in the 80s and became a household name for explaining scientific concepts in layman’s language.

In 2009, Unesco honoured him with the Kalinga Prize for popularisation of science.

In his report ‘Learning without burden’, Prof Yash Pal had raised concern over the load of school bags and rote learning.