Renowned ISRO Leader K Kasturirangan Dies at 84

K Kasturirangan, former head of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and key architect of the National Education Policy (NEP), passed away in Bengaluru on Friday, officials confirmed. He was 84.

Kasturirangan died at his residence in Bengaluru, and his body will be placed at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) on April 27 for the public to pay their final respects, according to officials.

Widely recognized for his pivotal role in shaping the NEP, Kasturirangan also held prominent positions, including chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. He served as a Rajya Sabha member from 2003 to 2009 and was part of the erstwhile Planning Commission of India.

Additionally, Kasturirangan led the National Institute of Advanced Studies in Bangalore as its director from April 2004 to 2009.