Astrophysicist Yashwant Gupta Receives MP Birla Memorial Award in Kolkata

NCRA Director Yashwant Gupta Honoured for Contributions to Radio Astronomy

Renowned Indian astrophysicist Yashwant Gupta has been honoured with the MP Birla Memorial Award at the MP Birla Planetarium . The recognition celebrates his major contributions to radio astronomy and astrophysical research. Gupta currently serves as the Director of the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics , which operates under the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research .

Contributions to Radio Astronomy

Yashwant Gupta has played a key role in advancing radio astronomy research in India. His work focuses on studying pulsars , cosmic signals and other distant astronomical phenomena using radio telescopes.

At the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics , he has been involved in scientific studies that analyse radio emissions from celestial objects. These efforts have contributed significantly to expanding scientific understanding of the universe and strengthening India’s role in global astrophysics research.

Inspiration from a Childhood Planetarium Visit

During the award ceremony, Yashwant Gupta recalled how a visit to the MP Birla Planetarium in the 1970s inspired his fascination with astronomy.

The experience sparked his curiosity about space and motivated him to pursue a career in astrophysics. Receiving an award at the same institution decades later, he described, was a meaningful moment in his professional journey. He also expressed hope that the planetarium would continue motivating young students to explore science.

About the MP Birla Memorial Award

The MP Birla Memorial Award was instituted in 1993 to recognise outstanding achievements in science and technology. The award is jointly presented by the MP Birla Institute of Fundamental Research and the MP Birla Planetarium .

Typically awarded every two years, the recognition has occasionally faced interruptions due to institutional renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Legacy of Distinguished Recipients

The award has honoured several prominent scientists in the past, including APJ Abdul Kalam , Jayant Vishnu Narlikar , K Kasturirangan , and Thanu Padmanabhan . The latest recognition of Yashwant Gupta continues this tradition of celebrating scientific excellence in India.

Exam-Focused Points

• MP Birla Planetarium is among the largest planetariums in Asia .

• MP Birla Memorial Award was instituted in 1993 .

• The National Centre for Radio Astrophysics operates the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope .

• Radio astronomy studies cosmic radio waves emitted by astronomical objects .

• Past recipients include leading scientists from space science, astrophysics and aerospace engineering .