Former ISRO chief Dr. Kasturirangan cremated with full state honours

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah pays last respects to the mortal remains of former ISRO chairman K Kasturirangan, in Bengaluru on April 27, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Former isro chief k. kasturirangan on Sunday (April 27, 2025) was cremated with full state honours. Dr. Kasturirangan, 84, passed away at his residence in Bengaluru on April 25.

His mortal remains were kept at the Raman Research Institute (RRI) for public viewing where a host of dignitaries ranging from Union Ministers, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and his cabinet colleagues, politicians, eminent scientists and the general public paid their last respects.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan who paid his respects at RRI said the passing away of Dr. Kasturirangan is a great loss to the nation. “He was not only a great scientist, he was a great human being. Apart from being in ISRO, he worked as a Rajya Sabha MP, he was with the planning commission. He headed the Karnataka Knowledge Commission and was later on assigned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi the job of envisioning the National Education Policy. He was a great visionary,” Mr Pradhan said.

“The passing away of Dr. Kasturirangan is an irreparable loss to the country, especially to the field of science. Kasturirangan is a renowned scientist in the country. He has made immense contributions to the field of space. His contribution to the environment sector and Karnataka is immense,” Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said.

The state honour being accorded to former ISRO chief K. Kasturirangan during his last rites, in Bengaluru on April 27, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
PTI

Several former and present ISRO officials visited the Institute, including chairman Dr. V. Narayanan and former chairman Dr. K. Sivan. “I first got to know him in 1975, at Ahmedabad, where we were working on a satellite programme. He was the project director of the mission. He had a tremendous ability to articulate things. He spoke sentences with precision,” said Dr. Narayanan.

Close acquaintances from the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), where Dr. Kasturirangan served as director of the institute from 2004 to 2009, also paid respects. Professors and Directors from IISER, TIFR and other eminent institutions recollected Dr. Kasturirangan’s support in growing these institutions.

“The establishment of International Centre for Theoretical Sciences (ICTS) and National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS) couldn’t have happened without his support and guidance,” said Prof. Indranil Biswas, member of the management board of TIFR.

“Every discussion with him used to be thought-provoking. He would ask several important questions, and we would have to think through them for months. He helped us achieve several goals,” said Annapurni Subramaniam, director, Indian Institute of Astrophysics.

Dr. Kasturirangan is survived by his son’s Sanjay and Rajesh Rangan. Mr. Sanjay recalled memories of his father. “When our mom passed away, he put on such a brave face for me and my brother,” he said.

PM Modi pays tribute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his 121st episode of ‘Mann ki Baat’ also paid tributes to the former ISRO Chairman.

“Two days ago, we lost the country’s great scientist Dr. K. Kasturirangan ji. Whenever I met Kasturirangan ji, we discussed topics like the talent of Indian youth, modern education, space science. His contribution in lending newer heights to science, education and India’s Space Program shall always be remembered. ISRO attained a new identity under his leadership. The Space programmes that moved forward under his guidance gave global recognition to India’s efforts. Many of the satellites that India uses today were launched under the supervision of Dr. Kasturirangan,” the Prime Minister said.