Dr. K Kasturirangan

December 13, 2008, 3PM - 5.30PM

About the Speaker

Dr. K Kasturirangan is the Chairman of the Council of the Institute. He is also a member of Parliament, serving in the Rajya Sabha since 2003. In 1971, he obtained his Ph.D. in Astronomy & Astrophysics from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL). After serving as a Research Associate at PRL from 1967 to 1971, he joined ISRO Satellite Centre, where he has a very distinguished career, reaching the post of Directory in 1990.During 1994-2003 he served as Chairman, Space Commission/Secretary, Department of Space, Government of India, Bangalore. He has received the Padma Shri (1982), Padma Bhushan (1992) and Padma Vibhushan (2000). Other awards include Shri.Hari Om Ashram Dr.Vikram Sarabhai Prerit Award (1981), Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering Sciences (1983), M.P.Birla Memorial Award in Astronomy (1997), Aryabhata Medal Award 2000' conferred by Indian National Science Academy, Calcutta (2001), and the "Officer of the Legion d'honneur", the highest decoration given by the Government of France (2002) Dr. Kasturirangan has received many Honorary doctorates. He is a Fellow of all the major National Academies, including Indian Academy of Sciences (FASc), Indian National Science Academy (FNA), National Academy of Sciences of India (FNASc), Indian National Academy of Engineering (FNAE) and Institution of Electronics and Telecommuncation Engineers (IETE). He is a Fellow of the Third World Academy of Sciences and a Member of the International Academy of Astronautics and the International Astronomical Union. He has been the General President, Indian Science Congress and the President, Indian Academy of Sciences. He has published more than 200 papers and edited 6 books.