Yash Pal
Prof. Yash Pal is an Indian astrophysicist who has made significant contributions to the study of cosmic rays, high-energy physics, astrophysics, and science education. Born in 1926 in Jhang in Pakistan, he got his Masters degree in physics from Panjab University in 1949. Later in 1958, he did his Ph.D from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, specializing in astrophysics.
Yash Pal started his career at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, as a member of the Cosmic Rays group.
Yash Pal started his career at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, as a member of the Cosmic Rays group.
In 1973, Yash Pal became the first Director of the Space Applications Centre in Ahmedabad when the government set up the Department of Space. He later served on various administrative assignments such as the Secretary General of the UN Conference on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space, Chief Consultant for Planning Commission, Secretary for Department of Science & Technology, and Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University. However, his role as the Chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC) during 1986–1991 was the prominent one.
As the UGC Chairman, Yash Pal initiated numerous innovative programmes to improve the standards of higher education in India. During this period, he also made regular appearances on a TV show known as “Turning Point” on Doordarshan, which explained the great discoveries of science and explained scientific concepts in layman’s language. Similarly, he worked on “Race to Save the Planet”, an international TV series that examined the major environmental issues facing the world. No wonder he received the Kalinga Prize, awarded by UNESCO for the popularisation of science in 2009!
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