Noted scientist Govind Swarup dead

    Pune, Sep 7 (PTI) Renowned radio astronomer and
scientist Govind Swarup died on Monday night in a private
hospital here in Maharashtra following illness, the National
Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA) said in a statement.
    He was 91.
    Swarup, the doyen of Indian radio astronomy, was the
founding director of the NCRA, which is part of the Tata
Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR).
    "National Centre for Rdio Astronomy (NCRA) with a very
heavy heart, announces that our renowned scientist, great
radio astronomer Prof. Govind Swarup passed away on Monday 9
pm at a private hospital following illness," the NCRA said.
    Born in 1929, Swarup was one of the pioneers of radio
astronomy in India, it said.
    "He was known not only for his important research
contributions but also for his leadership in building highly
innovative, world-class radio telescopes such as the Ooty
Radio Telescope and the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope
(GMRT), which firmly established India as one of the leading
countries for radio astronomy research," the NCRA added.
    Swarup obtained his M.Sc from Allahabad University in
1950 and his Ph.D. from Standford University in the USA in
1961.
    He returned to India in 1963 and joined the TIFR at
the invitation of Homi Bhaba, it said.
    He received several distinctions throughout his
career, including Padma Shri, the Bhatnagar award, and the
Grote Reber medal.
    Swearup was a fellow of many distinguished academics,
including Fellowship of the Royal Society, the NCRA said. PTI
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(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)