Pune: Renowned scientist and former head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Dr Vasant Gowariker passed away at a hospital in Pune on Friday morning. He was 81. Dr Gowariker had been suffering from age-related illness following which he was admitted to the Dinanath Mangeshkar Hospital in the city. At around 11.30 am on Friday, he breathed his last. His last rites were performed at the Vaikunth Samshanbhumi. However, no representative of the state or Union government was present at the funeral.
Dr Gowariker’s work in the field of space, weather and population is recognised worldwide. After having completed his graduation in science from Kolhapur, Dr Gowariker went on to get a Master’s degree externally, followed by a doctorate in fluid materials. In 1965, he, along with Vikram Sarabhai, began their work on satellite technology. Thereafter, Dr Gowariker helmed ISRO, Trivandrum, and was one of the main persons behind the debut of India’s satellite launcher SLV-3 in 1983.
Dr Gowariker was Secretary of the Science and Technology Department apart from being scientific advisor to the Prime Minister during 1991-93. He was also vice-chancellor of the University of Pune and President of the Rajiv Gandhi Science and Technology Commission in the state. Dr Gowariker’s interest in mechanics could be seen from an early age when he invented a method for the automatic winding of thread produced by the charkha.
