Former ISRO chief MGK Menon passes away

An acclaimed physicist and ex-ISRO chief, MGK Menon passed away at the age of 88 years. He became the director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) at the age of 35 years and the chairman of ISRO in 1972. Menon, a recipient of Padma awards, including the Padma Vibhushan was a minister of state for science and technology and education in the VP Singh government. He was also a member of the Planning Commission (1982-1989), Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister (1986-1989), Vice President, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) (1989-1990), Secretary in the Department of Science and Technology & Environment, Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London and Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha) during 1990-96. He has done scientific work primarily in cosmic rays, particle physics and played a very significant role in the development of science and technology over the last five decades.