Govind Swarup turns 90: ‘Challenge was to explore radio astronomy and it came from within’

National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, held a special celebratory event at Savitribai Phule Pune University

Govind Swarup, a global pioneer of radio astronomy, invoked the “bullock cart” age to remind guests present at his 90th birthday celebrations, that innovation has evolved from a time when “difficulties” were the challenge in and of itself.

Front, seated: Govind Swarup, a pioneer of radio astronomy and Bina Swarup, his wife. Standing from left: SM Chitre, scientist; Anil Kakodkar, ex-chairman, Atomic Energy Commission of India; scientist Raghunath Mashelkar; and K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific advisor, government of India, at a special event to commemorate Govind Swarup’s 90th birthday, and the formal inauguration of the upgraded GMRT (uGMRT) at SPPU on Thursday.(Pratham Gokhale/HT Photo)

Swarup said, “I am happy today to be here with my friends and family who are there with me in this long journey. The challenge was to explore radio astronomy for the world and it all came from within. Now we see the results.”

The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics, under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), held a special celebratory event to commemorate the 90th birthday of professor Swarup at the Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU), on Thursday.

The event also marked the formal inauguration of the upgraded giant metre wave radio telescope (uGMRT).

Celebrating Swarup as a pioneer of radio astronomy, eminent personalities professor Vijay Raghvan, principal scientific advisor Government of India; Anil Kakodka; scientist Raghunath Mashelkar; and Nitin Karmalkar, vice-chancellor, Savitribai Phule Pune University, were present for the event.

Kakodkar said, “When I first met Swarup I was struck by his simplicity and innovative ideas. There are only two persons I have seen who worked tremendously on atomic energy - Homi Babha and Govind Swarup.”

Raghavan wished Govind on his 90th birthday on behalf of the Government of India and said, “Govind is an institutional builder and has inspired thousands of his students. To work in the field of science there is a need for team work, to be courageous and there is always a demand for excellence; Govind has all of it.”