Kharagpur: The IIT Kharagpur awarded the Doctorate of Science (Honoris Causa) to eminent space scientists K Kasturirangan and Tessy Thomas and experimental physicist Prof HC Verma at the institute’s 67th convocation on Saturday.
The three personalities were awarded the honorary degrees for their contributions in their respective fields, said a statement issued by IIT Kharagpur.
Legendary space scientist Kasturirangan, who headed ISRO from 1994 to 2003, said via a video that he was deeply honoured for being bestowed with the degree. Kasturirangan is also renowned as the craftsman of the National Education Policy 2020 who changed the face of the country’s education system in India and has been rightfully named the ‘Game Changer of Indian Education’, said the statement.
“His contribution in the field of astronomy, astrophysics and space sciences is remarkable and an exemplar of human brilliance. As an astrophysicist, he led many path breaking projects in Indian diaspora of satellite missions,” the statement added.
First woman scientist to head a missile project, Thomas was present to receive the honour from Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan.
Verma is the national coordinator of the National Anveshika Network of India, a flagship programme of the Indian association of physics teachers. The physicist has developed over 600 low-cost physics experiments employable by teachers in classrooms and authored popular textbooks on the subject for various graduate and undergraduate programmes, the statement added.
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