Padma Vibhushan Professor J V Narlikar, an internationally renowned cosmologist, delivered a lecture at UPES on extraterrestrial life. His lecture described research efforts to find life outside Earth, including two experiments he led using high-altitude balloons to collect microorganisms. After the well-attended lecture, Professor Narlikar interacted with students and answered their questions. The next day, Professor Narlikar's wife Dr. Mangala Narlikar engaged with local middle school students on making math interesting. UPES recognized several of its distinguished professors on Teachers' Day during the visit.

1. From the Desk of: ARUN DHAND
DIRECTOR –GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & MEDIA AFFAIRS
Sep 5, 2015
Press Note
PADMA VIBHUSHAN PROF J V NARLIKAR DELIVERS LECTURE IN UPES
UPES has always endeavoured towards getting its students motivated and inspired by subject matter experts and
domain specialists. Sustained efforts have been made right since the inception of UPES towards inviting renowned
personalities and accomplished dignitaries to their campus.
Padma Vibhushan Professor J V Narlikar, an internationally acclaimed proponent of steady state cosmology
specially flew in from Pune with his mathematics wizard wife Dr Mangala Narlikar on a two day visit to UPES.
Professor Narlikar has devoted his entire life towards research in Astronomical Sciences. He received the ‘Padma
Bushan’ at the young age of only 26 years in 1965 and 46 years later was awarded the ‘Padam Vibhushan’ in 2011.
He has been the President of “Cosmology Commission of the International Astronomical Union” from 1994 to
1997. Apart from being the fellow of three National Science Academies he is an associate of the Royal
Astronomical Society, London and the French Astronomical Society, France. Recipient of several national and
international awards, he is also a science communicator and does so through his Books, Articles, Radio & TV
programs.
His lecture titled “Searches for Extraterrestrial Life: An Indian Experiment” was spell binding and was attended by
a packed house consisting of both teachers and students. He shared the various researches which have been done
over the years at the global level to ascertain whether any kind of life exists outside of our planet. He then
explained in detail the two experiments carried out by he and his team in collaboration with ISRO in 2001 and
2005 wherein they had designed a pay load to accumulate various samples of organisms, bacteria’s, viruses etc
available at a height of more than 40kms above the surface of earth . This was done in association with ISRO and
by means of a large sized gas fired balloon. After his lectures Professor Narlikar also interacted with the audience
and cleared all their doubts and answered all their questions. Sharing his thoughts after the lecture Mr Arun
Dhand – Director for Media Affairs in UPES said “that the best part about his talk was its simplicity. Professor
Narlikar was able to explain the mammoth sized and unknown cosmic world in a way that could be understood
even by a 6th
class student”. The Vice Chancellor of UPES – Dr Honwad Shrihari introduced Professor Narlikar to
the audience with details of all his accomplishments. Present on this occasion was the Chancellor- Dr S J Chopra,
Dr (Mrs) Mangala Narlikar and other senior management of UPES, faculty members and students.
“Teachers Day” was also celebrated after the distinguished lecture where senior distinguished professors of UPES
were recognized by Professor & Mrs Narlikar which included Dr S K Gupta, Maj Gen (Retd) SPS Narang, Dr K S
Mishra, Dr Indra Deo Mall, Dr Shivaramu, Dr Parichay Kumar Dass and Dr K P Sampathkumar.
Yesterday Dr (Mrs) Mangala Narlikar interacted with students of class 9th
& 10th
of “Asian School”, “Shemford
Doon” and “Cambridge School” for over two hours on the subject “Puzzles in Maths”. The students went back
excited and overwhelmed after getting exposed to the various ways by which mathematics could be made
interesting.
UPES management had also invited teachers from some of the state government run schools in its vicinity.
Professor and Mrs. Narlikar joined the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor in recognizing and appreciating the
contributions made by them. These included teachers from schools of Upper Kandoli, Khara Khet, Doonga,
Bishanpur, Misraj Patti, Bidholi and Pondha
The organizing team led by Dr Jitender Pandey comprised of his colleagues Mr Venkateshwarn, Mr Kartik and Dr S
K Banerjee along with the student team of Manav, Bhanu, Ms. Inzila Khan, Ms. Shradha and Mr Ayush. The
program was compered by Dr (Mrs.) Ratna Banerjee.
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2. From the Desk of: ARUN DHAND
DIRECTOR –GOVERNMENT RELATIONS & MEDIA AFFAIRS