Suhas B Naik-Satam

On a clear night, the sky above Valiamala offers a deceptively simple view of the Universe. Stars appear as tiny points of light, scattered across a dark expanse. But behind those points lie stellar nurseries, exploding stars, compact objects, planetary systems and galaxies containing billions of suns. Understanding that vast Universe requires more than telescopes. It requires people who can build instruments, design spacecraft, interpret astronomical signals, develop mathematical models and...

PM Bhargava's greatest strength was his ability to combine scientific excellence with institutional vision. The history of modern Indian science is often narrated through institutions, discoveries, and national programmes. Yet, behind these achievements are individuals whose vision and determination transformed the country's scientific landscape. Pushpa Mitra Bhargava was one such individual—a pioneering molecular biologist, institution-builder, and public intellectual whose influence...

A journey from Mahendra Lal Sircar's vision to global scientific excellence. The year 2026 marks the sesquicentennial of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), Kolkata, the oldest institution in India devoted exclusively to fundamental scientific research. Founded on 29 July 1876 by the visionary physician and educationist Dr Mahendra Lal Sircar, IACS emerged when India lacked institutions dedicated to experimental science. Convinced that scientific inquiry was...