Jayant Narlikar was a renowned astrophysicist known for his work in cosmology and theoretical physics.
He played a key role in establishing Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA) in Pune, which became a leading center for astrophysics.
He co-developed the "steady state" model of the universe with Fred Hoyle, challenging the Big Bang theory.
Narlikar continued to critique and refine the steady state theory even as the Big Bang model gained dominance.
He wrote science-fiction stories like Dhoomaketu, which was adapted into a film.
His autobiography Chaar Nagarantale Maze Vishwa won the Sahitya Akademi Prize.
Narlikar was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1965 and Padma Vibhushan in 2004.
He received the UNESCO Kalinga Prize in 1996 for science popularization and the Prix Jules Janssen in 2004.
His contributions to science communication were influenced by Carl Sagan and science fiction authors like Isaac Asimov.
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