LIVING LEGENDS IN INDIAN SCIENCE

Jayant Vishnu Narlikar

Naresh Dadhich

It was late 1964; newspapers all over the set every morning in IUCAA, Pune, so Like his mentor, Hoyle, JVN preferred country had a big frontpage splash, a long as we were both on the campus.) He to work in areas not fashionable but still young Indian don at Cambridge and his grew up in Banares and had therefore fundamental. He continued to make valu- senior research collaborator had been imbibed a good bit of North Indian man- able contributions to astronomy, although able to see beyond Einstein in their new ners and language. This was combined he deserved to receive greater apprecia- theory of gravitation. It had just been with the Marathi directness and disci- tion for his work. As I will show in the announced in the meeting of the Royal pline inherited from his parents, which following that he had half a dozen new Society, London and the announcement got further reinforced at Cambridge, not ideas and predictions to his credit that had been enthusiastically received. This to mention that there was always a living were ahead of the times and hence were was precisely what the young nation was Cambridge in VVN at home. The result not taken seriously at that time. However, looking for as it was hungry for such of these cultural inputs made a wonderful they have subsequently been accepted recognitions and it was the first big one. plural mix of attitude and mannerism. and verified observationally. In science For, an independent India was aspiring to The places of learning like BHU in the the real measure of one’s work is in creati- catch up with the Western world in all yesteryears fostered this wonderful social vity, in propounding a new idea or pre- spheres of life quickly, and more so in ethos. After completing B Sc at BHU, dicting some physical phenomenon and science, which is believed to be the key like his father JVN went to Cambridge as that gets subsequently accepted or verified. transformation vehicle for material pro- a Tata Fellow and excelled there too by On this count his contributions certainly gress. This is how Jayant Vishnu Narli- finishing the formidable Maths tripos stand among the best, yet they have not kar (JVN) arose with a bang on the with flying colours in record time. At attracted the attention they deserve. Indian science horizon. One does not that time was the most sought There are two things here – obser- have to stretch one’s imagination much after doctoral supervisor in astronomy vations may not always be sharp enough to know that he became a household and JVN’s contemporaries included the to give a decisive answer, but more name overnight, a science face of emerg- most illustrious band in Stephen Hawk- importantly, all observations have to be ing and aspiring India, and an iconic ing, Martin Rees, Brandon Carter and interpreted within a framework of a theo- role model. Exceptionally, he was George Ellis, all of whom are among the retical model. It is the latter which is a awarded the civilian award, Padma best-known science faces of the day. very involved and complex issue. In all Bhushan by the President of India. He is From this extraordinary abundance of fairness and true to the spirit of truth- perhaps the youngest talent and brilliance, Hoyle chose JVN as seeking, one should always keep one’s awardee. his doctoral student, and this told a mind open at this fundamental level. This JVN was born on 19 July 1938 at Kol- mighty lot on his reputation and standing stance, howsoever desirable and rational hapur (then a princely state) in Maha- as a student. It may also be mentioned it may appear, is unfortunately sadly rashtra. His parents, Sumati and Vishnu that JVN won the distinguished Smith’s lacking in the present-day scientific Vasudev Narlikar (VVN) were both Prize as a research student, and five community at large. One often sees all scholars, the former of and the years later, the prestigious Adams Prize attention bestowed on bandwagon-type latter, a legendary Professor of Mathe- in the august company of Roger Penrose ideas to the exclusion of other viable matics at Banares Hindu University and . alternatives. (BHU), Varanasi. JVN therefore had an ideal intellectual upbringing with San- skrit providing a beautiful classic touch and flavour which most of us so sadly lack. It is therefore no surprise when he often effortlessly switches on to appro- priate quotes from Sanskrit classics. VVN was one of the two persons, the other being N. R. Sen (Kolkata), who pioneered work in (GR) in the country. JVN thus had relativity in his ‘janmaghunti’ – the first taste of wa- ter at the birth, and he amazingly lived up well to remarkable initiation. Right from school, JVN was an out- standing all-round student who excelled in all subjects as well as had equally engaging interest in sports. He played badminton very well. (Later he switched Jayant’s graduation in Cambridge with his parents (Sumati and Vishnu Vasudev) and to tennis, and he and I used to play one brother Anant.

CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 107, NO. 1, 10 JULY 2014 113 LIVING LEGENDS IN INDIAN SCIENCE

Jayant Vishnu Narlikar

Jayant Narlikar was born on 19 July 1938 in , and received his early education in the cam- pus of (BHU), where his father Vishnu Vasudeva Narlikar was Professor and Head of the Mathematics Department. His mother Sumati Narlikar was a Sanskrit scholar. After a brilliant career in school and college, Jayant got his B Sc degree in 1957. He went to Cambridge for higher studies, becoming a Wrangler and Tyson Medallist in the Mathematical Tripos. He got his Cambridge degrees in mathematics: B A (1960), Ph D (1963), M A (1964) and Sc D (1976), but specialized in astronomy and . He distinguished himself at Cambridge with the Smith’s Prize in 1962 and the Adams Prize in 1967. He later stayed on at Cambridge till 1972, as Fellow of King’s College (1963–72) and Founder Staff Member of the Institute of Theoretical Astronomy (1966–72). During this period he laid the foundations of his research work in cosmology and astrophysics in col- laboration with his mentor Fred Hoyle. Jayant returned to India to join the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (1972–1989) where under his charge the Theoretical Astrophysics Group acquired international standing. In 1988 he was invited by the Univer- sity Grants Commission as Founder Director to set up the proposed Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). Under his direction IUCAA has acquired a world-wide reputation as a centre for excel- lence in teaching and research in astronomy and astrophysics. He retired from this position in 2003. He is now Emeritus Professor at IUCAA. In 2012 The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) awarded him with a prize for set- ting up a centre for excellence in science. In 1966, Jayant married Mangala Rajwade, a Ph D in Mathematics. They have three daughters, Geeta, Girija and Leelavati, all of whom have opted for careers in science. Jayant is internationally known for his work in cosmology, in championing models alternative to the popularly believed model. He was President of the Cosmology Commission of the International Astronomical Un- ion from 1994 to 1997. His work has been on the frontiers of gravity and Mach’s Principle, quantum cosmology and action at a distance physics. He has received several national and international awards and honorary doc- torates. He is a Bhatnagar awardee, as well as recipient of the M.P. Birla Award, the Prix Janssen of the French Astronomical Society and an Associate of the Royal Astronomical Society of London. He is Fellow of the three national science academies as well as of TWAS. Apart from his scientific research, Jayant has been well known as a science communicator through his books, articles, and radio/TV programmes. For these efforts, he was hon- oured by the UNESCO in 1996 with the Kalinga Award. Jayant recently broke new grounds in space research. Since 1999 he has been heading an international team in pioneering experiments designed to sample air for microorganisms in the atmosphere at heights of up to 41 km. Biological studies of the samples collected in 2001 and 2005 led to the findings of live cells and bacteria, thus opening out the intriguing possibility that the Earth is being bombarded by microorganisms some of which might have seeded life itself here. Jayant was awarded Padmabhushan in 1965 (at the young age of 26), Padmavibhushan in 2004. In 2011, the Government of the State of Maharashtra gave him the State’s highest civilian honour .

One thing that stands out is that JVN has always been interested and worked on fundamental problems defying the strong peer group ‘bandwagon syndrome’ right from his graduate student days in early 1960s at Cambridge. As mentioned earlier, he probably acquired this trait from the legendary Hoyle, who was fiercely independent and enjoyed riding against the bandwagon. But more impor- tantly, like Hoyle, JVN has a mind of his own and also the courage and conviction to challenge the established view if it does not, in his own assessment, stand the test of independent and dispassionate scrutiny. This is what he has done all through his scientific career. His subse- quent professional isolation stems from this unflinching adherence to objective

and dispassionate probing of facts and Jayant with Hoyles (Barbara and Fred) and the author. principle.

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Though JVN is in a ridiculous minor- burden of tradition-enforced blind faith radiation (CMBR) discovered, though ity (so much so he is now the lone mem- and superstition. accidentally by two Bell Lab engineers, ber of the clan disbelieving the big bang Now I highlight some of JVN’s semi- Penzias and Wilson, unmistakenly pointed theory) in following the path away from nal contributions to fundamental physics, to the big bang cosmology. HNT was a the mainstream beaten track, his critique astrophysics and cosmology. Let me brilliant theory and it was enthusiasti- of the standard established view of cos- open out with a pronouncement that many cally received by the theoretical physics mology is taken seriously with respect of his ideas were rather too radical for community; unfortunately the observa- and consideration. This is because his the time when they were propounded, but tional interest went in the direction of the pioneering fundamental contributions they have subsequently been proven big bang theory which provided explana- could not be ignored and one cannot help right. Ironically even then, as mentioned tion of this observation. Before we go acknowledging their originality and crea- earlier, they have often not received due any further, it would be useful to under- tivity. This is evidenced by his election appreciation and recognition for ingenu- stand in simple terms the phenomena of as President of the Cosmology Commis- ity, probity and priority. This is rather big bang and CMBR. Immediately after sion of the International Astronomical strange because usually one is lauded for Einstein discovered GR, he applied his Union for the term 1994–1997. This is a anticipating and predicting forthcoming gravitational equation to the Universe as healthy trend and deemed necessary for ideas and developments. Why has this a whole for constructing a static model growth of science in true spirit of truth- not happened for JVN is something of a consisting of isolated particles like galax- seeking. JVN is indeed a truth-seeker in mystery. ies. Such a distribution is called dust, the noblest classical tradition of scholar- Mach’s principle (MP) for fundamental which is characterized by the absence of ship. And in this role he stands out tall physicists is a fascinating enigma. No- pressure. As there is no pressure to coun- and alone. body fully understands and feels entirely teract gravitational attraction between the Before I take up his scientific contri- comfortable with it; yet it has such an en- particles, such a Universe would collapse butions, I must mention how JVN has ticing appeal that none can ignore it. The under its own gravity to a point singula- pursued with great devotion and zeal a real problem is in its statement which is rity in no time. To counteract gravita- continuing discourse with people at large ambiguous enough to present different tional attraction, he then introduced the on scientific method and the enlightening faces to different adherents. There are as so-called cosmological constant which and meaningful role science can play in many versions of it as the number of produced the required repulsive force to their lives. His has been the most promi- people pecking on it. In its simplest balance gravitational attraction. A few nent science voice against astrology, form, it could be envisioned as saying years later in 1924, a Russian physicist, superstitions and blind faith. He was that a particle exists because of existence Alexander Friedmann obtained a non- the first and perhaps alone to come out of other particles in the Universe. It is static solution for a homogeneous and strongly against UGC’s proposal of in- envisaged that it is the mutual interaction isotropic Universe which was expanding troducing teaching of astrology in uni- between particles that is the cause for or collapsing, and it did not need the versities in the faculty of science. I their collective existence. That is, a sin- cosmological constant for its existence. should mention here that in his campaign gle particle cannot exist all alone. Going Independently, around the same time, it he did have to put up with good bit of a step further, it is presumed that inertia was also discovered by Lemaitre and opposition and discomfort. His commit- of a particle arises from its interaction later on generalized and refined by ment to science communication and sci- with the rest of the particles in the Uni- Robertson and Walker. This is the stan- ence education for public at large bears verse. This is aesthetically attractive and dard FLRW model of cosmology. After rich evidence in his popular science has a great universal appeal. Even Ein- the discovery of non-static model of the lectures at all levels and all through the stein was greatly influenced by it and Universe, Einstein lost interest in the country and abroad, interactions with wanted to incorporate it in his theory of cosmological constant. According to school children in IUCAA’s summer stu- gravitation – general relativity (GR). He George Gamow, Einstein called this con- dents programme and otherwise, and his was much disappointed that GR did not stant as the biggest blunder in his life. It popular science and science fiction books do that as it admitted a solution for is a different matter that about seven at large. He is certainly the man of Nehru’s gravitational field of an isolated single decades later the same cosmological con- dream for creating a society with scien- particle. stant is demanded by the supernova ob- tific temper. The other person who could In early 1960s, driven by the same in- servations that point to accelerating share the stage of ‘public scientist’ with spiration as that of Einstein, both Hoyle expansion of the Universe. Among him is the ever affable , who has and Narlikar (HN) wanted to construct a several exotic attempts to explain this a charm and way of his own with people. theory of gravitation which incorporated cosmic acceleration, the most natural and I think we should all be aware of the debt MP by writing inertia of a particle as an satisfactory explanation comes from the we owe to people at large for their con- integral of its interaction with all other repulsion produced by the cosmological tribution to our comfortable living, and particles. Thus was born a new theory of constant. in return it is our bounden duty to par- gravitation – HN theory (HNT), which The FLRW model is homogeneous and ticipate in science communication in an reduces to GR in the limit of many parti- isotropic, which means the Universe effective manner so that people are better cles. However, the attention of the cos- appears the same from everywhere and in informed on matters of science and mological community got switched in the all directions; there is no preferred posi- otherwise. This would help them in direction of the big bang cosmology by tion and direction. As it expands different taking better informed and objective de- an important observation. In 1965, the constituents in the form of galaxies and cisions and more importantly, to shed the isotropic cosmic microwave background groups of galaxies–clusters are running

CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 107, NO. 1, 10 JULY 2014 115 LIVING LEGENDS IN INDIAN SCIENCE away from each other. This means if we steady state theory (SST) proposed by created so as to keep the steady state dis- go back in time, they were closer, and in Hermann Bondi, Tommy Gold and Fred tribution. For big bang, it happened only the limit they would all be riding on each Hoyle in 1948. It was driven by the aes- once at the beginning, but here it had to other in a zero volume. At that event thetically beautiful and philosophically happen all the time continually. HN density of matter would be diverging to appealing perfect cosmological principle. introduced a creation scalar field with infinity and hence would be very hot, It stated that the Universe always re- negative energy and stresses for creating and that is what is the hot big bang be- mains in the steady state as it offers the new matter. The conservation of energy ginning of the Universe. The Universe is same view as observed from any location is satisfied by positive energy of matter born in a big bang explosion and it is ex- in space as well as at any time. The Uni- created and negative energy of scalar panding because of its initial impulsive verse therefore had no beginning and field adding up to zero. Such an outland- momentum given by the bang. At the would have no end; it was eternally ish idea was rather too revolutionary in very beginning, it is believed that quan- existing in the same state. Philosophi- 1960s and completely out of tune with tum fluctuations of vacuum produced cally, it resonates wonderfully well with the times. Understandably, it was thought matter in the form of fundamental parti- the Indian view of no beginning and no to be unphysical and thereby not taken cles like electrons, protons and photons– end, ‘anaadi–anant’, while it is in direct seriously. Their viewpoint was that even light, etc. It all comes out of nothing – conflict with the Western view of crea- at the big bang, matter came out of noth- vacuum. Initially the Universe is densely tion of the Universe at some specific ing violating the conventional conserva- filled with these particles; light has very event in the finite past. On the other tion law, why could it then not happen little free path; it keeps on bouncing hand, big bang beginning as predicted by continually all the time? By this way, the from one to the other and getting ab- Einstein’s GR resonates well with the act of matter creation could, unlike an sorbed and scattered. It cannot stream Western conception of the Universe. It is isolated big bang event which was not out of this cosmic soup of particles. The interesting that the phrase ‘big bang’ accessible to observations, be brought Universe is therefore perfectly opaque was coined rather in jest by none other into the sphere of scientific enquiry and and dark. As it expands, it cools and then than Hoyle, the staunchest and the observation. This was a very valid stand- particles like electrons, protons and neu- most formidable opponent of the concep- point. However, people were not con- trons start combining to form atoms, that tion. vinced because they argued that the big create free space for photons–light to SST was quite in conformity with the bang was a special singular event of stream out. This event, which marks de- observations of those times and it then diverging energy density, while such coupling of photons from other particles challenged observers to prove it wrong. special extreme conditions were hard to and is called the last scattering surface, is It gave impetus for sharpening observa- obtain everywhere all the time. imprinted in the sky as a relic thermal tional tools, particularly in the newly However, something similar is quite in radiation and its wavelength indicating emerging science of radio astronomy vogue today, fashionably called ‘phan- the temperature. It cools as the Universe which owed its remarkable progress in tom field’ that is invoked for explaining expands and thereby it loses energy, the following decades entirely to this the accelerated expansion of the Uni- which means its wavelength goes on in- challenge posed by the steady state verse. Several of the phantom advocates creasing; when it was caught by Penzias theory. One of the main jobs of a theory do however acknowledge the origin of and Wilson, its wavelength was in is to challenge the existing view or the idea in HN’s creation field. Further, microwave range, indicating temperature framework, so that new tools are devel- JVN also showed that creation field of 2.7 K (from absolute zero). This is oped to prove it wrong or right. This is helped the initially inhomogeneous Uni- what is the phenomenon of CMBR per- how science progresses. verse to turn homogeneous and isotropic vading the whole sky all the time in all The discovery of CMBR cast the die as it expanded. Two decades later, a simi- directions. Its observation in 1965 by unambiguously in favour of the big bang lar result was christened as the ‘cosmic Penzias and Wilson was great advance in and it was hard observational evidence no hair theorem’ by Barrow and Stein- favour of the big bang theory, as it pro- which cannot be circumvented. It was Schabes, who however did acknowledge vided the strong observational support. difficult for SST to accommodate CMBR the precedence of HN’s creation field. The first cosmology observation was without giving up its most appealing per- In 1966, HN proposed an ingenious that of Hubble’s in 1929 of red shift of fect cosmological principle. Bondi was cosmological model that radically de- nearby galaxy, which indicated that it the first to acknowledge this fact. SST parted from SST; it arose from a phase was running away. This was the observa- was a beautiful theory, if the observa- transition in the two states of the Uni- tional support for the FLRW expanding tions did not support it, it had to go. verse, creative mode when there was model. Subsequently, with better tele- Hoyle was not going to give up his creation of matter and non-creative mode scopes available after the Second World favourite idea so easily; he and his former when the creation field was switched-off. War, red shifts of very large number of student argued This happened in a bounded region of galaxies were observed, indicating that most ingeniously to produce CMBR from space which then expanded as a ‘Fried- they were all running away from each iron whiskers in cosmic dust polarizing mann bubble’ in an external de Sitter other giving support to the FLRW star light. It was a brilliant effort that Universe. This model anticipated the expanding Universe model. Then, there could hardly convince his peers. inflationary model by about a decade and was absolute lull in the observational Besides CMBR, SST had a fundamen- a half, and it had been so acknowledged front until the CMBR observation in tal problem of maintaining uniform den- by the leading cosmologist Jim Peebles. 1965. This came in the backdrop of an- sity of matter in an expanding Universe. It may be noted that currently inflation other competing cosmology theory – the For that, matter needed to be continually has been in hot news in relation to

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BICEP2 observation favouring one of the symmetric and hence admits both ad- One of the mysteries of quantum inflationary models. It predicted produc- vanced and retarded solutions. But we theory is renormalization which nobody tion of gravitational waves in the early always observe retarded effect and never understands, but it works. If there is a Universe whose imprint was supposed to advanced effect. One has to break this way to circumvent even if it requires in- have been seen in the observed polariza- symmetry and define an arrow of time. voking creation field and steady state tion of CMBR. The HN model did not WHF did it by invoking thermodynamics, cosmology, this is certainly a way for- receive the attention it deserved perhaps the advanced component was absorbed ward and it should be so acknowledged. because of the unconventional nature of by the other matter in the Universe and The famous WF paper was published in creation field. It is fair to say that equally thereby defining an arrow of time. Reviews of Modern Physics in 1945. Half bizarre phantom field has been invoked It is interesting to note that interaction a century later in 1995, the journal to explain an observed fact of accelerat- with rest of the Universe as envisaged in invited HN to write a review article for ing expansion of the Universe. Similarly, MP comes again in defining an arrow of telling the subsequent story of this very the concept of inflation was invoked to time. The natural question then arose interesting and elegant formulation of establish causal connection between dif- about asking this question in the frame- electromagnetic interaction. ferent parts of the Universe. This how- work of a gravitational theory that Further, HN also developed a similar ever does not take away their outlandish accommodated MP. This was what HN approach to gravity and the resulting character, but they are however pheno- did and they argued that expanding Uni- theory was connected to MP and reduced menologically driven. verse in cosmology provided a more to GR under certain conditions. This is Yet another interesting application of natural arrow of time. For that first they the HNT which I mentioned in the creation field was to create matter in the had to generalize action at a distance beginning. It also provided a background centres of galaxies producing supermas- formalism to curved space–time and then framework for the quasi-steady state sive black holes of about a billion solar showed that cosmological expansion theory which was to be developed later. masses. They then controlled the size of broke the advanced/retarded symmetry. In 1968, JVN also worked out a general galaxies, particularly elliptical ones. In It was remarkable that the correct result correspondence under which a field 1966, JVN was the first to envision pres- came out only for ‘steady state and not theory could be replaced by a direct par- ence of supermassive black holes in the for big bang’ cosmology. Action at a dis- ticle theory. centres of the galaxies, which was soon tance formulation of Maxwell’s electro- JVN was also among the first persons afterwards also proposed by Donald dynamics in the cosmological setting to apply quantum ideas to cosmology and Lynden-Bell and Martin Rees based on clearly picked out steady state against had shown in 1977 that big bang singu- the conventional ideas and processes. big bang. This is indeed a remarkable larity could be avoided by quantizing the There is yet another pioneering work result. conformal degree of freedom. It was JVN did while he was a graduate student The next challenge was to quantize quantization under special condition that in 1961. Earlier, Gold and Hoyle had electrodynamics in this framework. quantum fluctuations of space–time were considered that matter was created in the Feynman attempted it but did not suc- restricted to conformal degree alone. form of neutrons which then decay pro- ceed and in the process discovered one of Then applying the Feynman path integral ducing electrons of high kinetic energy– the most useful techniques of path inte- technique, he was able to compute temperature. Using thermal gradients so gral formalism which had been so widely exactly the probability of the Universe produced, they were able to create typi- used. He thought that since quantization having a singular or non-singular begin- cal inhomogeneities in the Universe at was not possible in action at a distance ning. It turned out that probability for the the scale of 50 Mpc (1 Mpc is 106 parsec approach, field theory should be pre- former was zero, while for the latter was and 1 parsec is approximately 3 light ferred over it. HN also tried their hand at unity. Thus the quantum gravitational ef- years). JVN worked on a model with this the problem and were able to show that fects provided a bounce to the Universe. scale of inhomogeneities in the form of quantum considerations like spontaneous This is perhaps the only calculation in superclusters and voids. In this work, HN transition of atomic electron, pair pro- quantum gravity which is exact without could successfully explain the observed duction and annihilation, Compton scat- any approximation. In essence, the recent distribution of radio sources as observed tering, etc. could be handled successfully sophisticated treatments of this problem by the Cambridge radio astronomers and adequately in action at a distance by application of loop quantum gravity then. Besides the analytical calculation, framework. They further obtained the have also been restricted by and large to JVN had done numerical calculations on most remarkable profound result that re- the special case of quantizing conformal the then IBM 7090 computer which was sponse of the Universe constrained vari- degree with some generalization to perhaps the first attempt of calculation ous integrals to give finite radiative homogeneous Bianchi models. However, on a computer-generated Universe. corrections. Thus not only WF theory his pioneering step in this direction does By far the intellectually most satisfy- was quantizable, it required ‘no renor- not receive the attention and mention it ing and exciting contribution of JVN is malization’. It was the back reaction of deserves. HN’s generalization of the famous the Universe that provided a natural In response to the challenge thrown by Wheeler–Feynman (WF) absorber theory cut-off. This is a fascinating result by all the mainstream view – the party line, the of radiation proposed in 1945. WF counts, which has not attracted the de- famous rebellious trio – Hoyle, Geoffery developed the Maxwell electrodynamics served currency and appreciation, per- Burbidge and Narlikar developed in 1993 as action at a distance theory, an alterna- haps because it is based on the use of the quasi-steady state theory of cosmol- tive to conventional field theory. Max- creation field and steady state cosmo- ogy (QSSC) as their version of cosmol- well theory, as is well known, is time logy. ogy. One of the main issues was how to

CURRENT SCIENCE, VOL. 107, NO. 1, 10 JULY 2014 117 LIVING LEGENDS IN INDIAN SCIENCE explain CMBR, which was by now a ing to the big bang theory. This is a was not given due credit for his several well-established fact. As mentioned ear- clear-cut prediction, but so far it remains pioneering works which included the lier, Hoyle had argued that star light unverified. If a star older than the Uni- generalization of Wheeler–Feynmann could get polarized by dust in the Uni- verse does show up, the big bang theory theory, particularly back reaction of the verse to produce CMBR-like effect. For certainly goes; whether people would ac- Universe providing the natural cut-off, that dust should be there at all times. It cept QSSC or not would be a different thereby eliminating the need for ever was then envisaged that the Universe did matter. It is important for a theory to doubtable renormalization procedure, not remain in a steady state at all times, make a clear prediction that could be presence of supermassive black holes at but it went through cycles of very high subjected to observational test. On this the centres of galaxies, quantum cosmol- dense state of high energy when matter primary count, QSSC stands perfectly ogy and anticipating the idea of inflation got created, as it was done at the big well. by about 15 years, for ingenuity and pri- bang. This was then followed by normal The trio had to work very hard to get ority. This is where sociology enters into expanding phase, followed by collapsing their viewpoint across and the situation the game – why do certain concepts or phase to highly dense state. This is how was appropriately summed up by the ideas even though new and radical gain it is in the quasi steady state. It is a Editor of Nature, John Maddox in the currency and acceptance while some cyclical Universe which goes through editorial comment, entitled, ‘The return others do not? Perhaps the reason lies in highly dense state resembling big bang of cosmological creation’: ‘... they (the the concept of creation field which is and then it bounces back to expanding trio – Hoyle, Burbidge and Narlikar of very difficult for conventional physics to state. Matter from one cycle in the form QSSC) at least deserve credit for having swallow. True, now people have consi- of dust is carried over to the next cycle pointed to one way in which the Big dered its cousin in phantom field with and that is how there is always dust Bang, an event without a cause, might be equally abhorring property of kinetic required to polarize star light for creating brought within a wider framework’. This energy being negative, but they are driven a CMBR phenomenon. That is how they was an echo of Hoyle’s words justifying to this desperate situation by observation. had proposed QSSC. It is creative and the continual creation in the steady state It is one of the ways amongst countably ingenious; yet several cosmologists are theory about five decades ago. It was infinity that have been given the enticing doubtful if the special dust required by some recognition of the effort and inge- name, ‘dark energy’ (anything we do not the theory exists. Although experiments nuity of the three distinguished rebels. understand we term ‘dark’ – dark matter, have conclusively shown that metallic With both Hoyle and Burbidge being no dark energy and dark radiation) for vapours do condense into this kind of longer around, JVN who inherited it, explaining the observed acceleration of dust, the idea of its existence in space is remains the sole holder of the radical expansion of the Universe. It is a differ- considered incredible. It is ironical though flag. ent matter that the most natural and satis- that cosmologists have no qualms in The final work of JVN concerns test- factory explanation is provided by the accepting the presence of strange (non- ing of hypothesis that the Earth may be good old cosmological constant which baryonic) dark matter for which there is bombarded by microorganisms from had attained some kind of notoriety, no laboratory evidence. space. He proposed an experiment to be though totally unjustified, as Einstein’s Steady state adhered to the most fasci- conducted by a joint effort of several greatest blunder. Though creation and nating and beautiful conception in per- laboratories. The experimental payload phantom field are the same in spirit and fect cosmological principle which QSSC consisted of 16 stainless-steel tubes which substance, yet no observation except a had to give up and thereby it lost all its could be opened and closed by ground theoretical model demanded the former, aesthetic appeal. In QSSC, a big bang- command as they were carried up by a while the latter is invoked to explain an like event is proposed continually and balloon. The tubes were initially evacu- observation. I should however say that cyclically. It is now entirely driven by ated and decontaminated and at specified the result, back reaction of the Universe phenomenology and not by a compelling heights ranging from 25 to 41 km, they providing natural cut-off making renor- guiding principle. It was descending had air pumped in using a cryopump. At malization unnecessary, should merit in down from the pristine plane of concept different heights, different tubes were so favour of creation field and steady state and principle to the machine shop of filled. Then the payload was brought cosmology almost as compelling as ob- phenomenology. down and the contents of the tube were servation. It is this difference that is at The picture that emerges is as follows: examined by two molecular biology the root of unfathomable aversion of The Universe gets on the creation mode laboratories. The latest study has been people to creation field and the results as alluded earlier during the dense phase carried out by CCMB, Hyderabad and based on it. Howsoever undesirable it and as it expands settles down to the NCCS, Pune. Several bacterial species may be, we have to accept this hard so- normal steady state mode, creation gets were found showing survival ability in ciological fact. switched-off. Then after some time it goes UV, including three new species. Further JVN has been a brilliant global teacher through collapsing phase to get to high studies are being planned to conclusively through his marvellous books which are energy creative mode again, and so the establish if these are from the Earth or universally popular, and it feels great to cycles go on indefinitely. In this process, from space. ISRO has been sponsoring hear people talking about his books with there should also exist very old stars, these studies. It is purely an Indian such admiration in all corners of the which survived the collapsing phase, experiment probing an interesting hy- world. He has been a great mentor to from the previous cycle and QSSC there- pothesis. people both younger and older than him. fore predicts existence of stars older than Despite the great reputation JVN For instance, it was JVN who on his the present age of the Universe, accord- enjoyed globally among his peers, he return to India in 1972, brought to light

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A. K. Raychaudhuri (Presidency College, was thus conceived as a common univer- IUCAA is all set for big things and is Kolkata), and the famous Raychaudhuri sity facility. Around the same time, JVN doing very well. Nothing could be more equation governing dynamics of Uni- was also thinking to move out of TIFR gratifying than running into a student verse to Indian science community, even and was looking for something challeng- from Raipur University at one of the though this seminal work was done in ing. On the other hand, Yash Pal was at the largest telescopes in the world in the 1955. He has built a vibrant school of command in UGC ever hungry of new ATACAMA Chilean desert. That is ex- theoretical astrophysics and cosmology ideas and projects. This was a fortuitous actly what JVN had dreamt for IUCAA, and his students are world leaders in circumstance that gave rise to the idea of that the best astronomical facilities in the their respective fields. He is a scholar in IUCAA and JVN instantly took up the world should be accessible to an ordinary the noblest truth-seeking tradition, that challenge. The rest followed beautifully. university student. none of his students and colleagues who IUCAA is a fascinating story that JVN has been a wonderful role model are mostly his students and friends work would require an article for itself. Even for four generations of young students on his QSSC theory. He does not impose at the risk of being self-congratulatory, I who have grown up looking up to him. I on others his ideas and instead encour- have no hesitation in saying that it is not heard eminent people recalling with great ages complete freedom and independ- only a leading institute, but is also a fondness their grandparents blessing ence. This commitment to intellectual novel experiment in institute governance them with a wish, ‘be like Narlikar’. steadfastness and honesty is awe- and participative and democratic function- When he laid down the reins of IUCAA, inspiring. ing. It follows the dictum of ‘trust breeds steering it gloriously for the first 15 The greatest gifts JVN has given to the trust’. All the responsibilities, including years of its existence, JVN has again set nation and to science in general and financial, are shared by all the faculty out an example, how should one detach astronomy in particular is IUCAA, a members, who actively participate in all from one’s own creation with utmost world-class astrophysics centre for pro- decision-making. The Director has very grace and candour. He picked up an motion and growth of astrophysics teach- little to do, as I could vouch from my office in a quiet corner of the Library and ing and research in universities. It was own experience. It is a testimony to the Computer Centre block, and one sees the most fascinating and rewarding fact that a well-geared responsibility- him only at tea time at 10.30 a.m., the experience for me to work with him in sharing system has been evolved, such time imprinted from the Cambridge days, building up this wonderful institute right that everything goes on smoothly and in the Pendulum court. Else he is com- from its conception. He has an uncanny effortlessly without anyone getting has- pletely invisible; again there is some- knack of making you share and be an sled. It is a visitor’s institute and it enter- thing to emulate. It is remarkable that equal participant in his dream and vision. tains over thousand visitors a year. Yet it JVN never ceases to be a role model. He There are few people who have this is remarkable how everything is taken is indeed a gentleman scientist and a wonderful tact; the other person I have care of without any intervention from wise man. heard of was the founder-Director of IIT faculty members. It is to the credit of its Here is a man who does outstanding Kanpur, P. K. Kelkar, who would make support staff that visitors from all over research, works with missionary zeal to even a security guard feel he was very pay very rich and affectionate compli- spread the message of science and its valuable to the institute. This is the key ments for hospitality offered to them. method far and wide, writes books, gives to getting the best out of one’s col- The key is to make everyone feel involved leagues. in whatever one is doing by giving func- In mid-1980s, Govind Swarup con- tional freedom. ceived the Giant Metrewave Radio Tele- Another instance is in order to high- scope and was looking for an appropriate light JVN’s commitment to participative site for the same. I helped him with the and democratic functioning. For faculty logistics for site survey around Pune. In hirings, there is a screening committee of view of such major observational facil- senior faculty. If a candidate is found ity, it was pertinent that astrophysics suitable, then referee reports are sought teaching and research should be promoted and finally it comes to the selection and strengthened in universities. IUCAA committee. Once he proposed a name to be considered and sent a mail seeking for a meeting of the screening committee. We all said that the person did not make the grade, he got angry and convened the committee meeting. We all spoke out our views which he patiently listened and then gracefully accepted our view by saying that he just wanted it to be delib- erated in the meeting. This is one instance that stands as a sterling example of how true and committed JVN is to what he

professes. Would it surprise anyone why he enjoys such trust and unflinching IUCAA Foundation stone laying cere- mony. loyalty from his colleagues? Jayant with his wife.

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important contributions not being duly recognized by peers is also equally chal- lenging to cope with. Again he has done it with grace, poise and without rancour. This is the real measure of the man. On a personal count I should say that it has been the most fascinating and re- warding journey with him and at the slightest hint I would be instantly at his side to team up again. In the ultimate reckoning it does not matter whether one got one’s due or not, what matters is how best you lived and worked notwithstand- ing the rewards and disappointments. Without hesitation I would say that Mangala and JVN have lived outstand- ingly well and on 19 July 2014, his 76th birthday, I wish him to continue living well.

Jayant with S. Chandrasekhar. NARESH DADHICH lectures and builds up an institute, and perspective, on one hand, the kind of Centre for Theoretical Physics, also finds time to advise the Government adulations and admiration he received at Jamia Millia Islamia, in advisory capacity through various a very young age (late twenties; and con- New Delhi 110 025, India and committees. Yet you never find him tinues to receive) should have been hard The Inter-University Centre for rushed and hassled. The secret is his peace and demanding to digest and carry along Astronomy and Astrophysics, of mind which is provided in abundance all through. And this he has done with Post Bag 4, Ganeshkhind, by his wife, Mangala. They are a very remarkable grace and modesty in the best Pune University Campus, fine couple, simple and unassuming and Indian tradition. On the other hand, in his Pune 411 007, India ever ready to help. To put things in right professional work feeling isolated and e-mail: [email protected]

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