Dr Kasturirangan in Pontificial Acadcemy of Sciences

Bangalore, Dec 18 (UNI) Eminent Space Scientist and former ISRO Chairman K Kasturirangan has been appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an Academician of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences.

Dr Kasturirangan, currently Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) here, is the fourth Indian to be appointed to the Academy after Dr C V Raman, Prof M G K Menon and Prof C N R Rao. The Pontifical Academy had about 90 Academicians, of which 29 were Nobel Laureates.

The Pontifical Academy was founded in Rome on August 17, 1603 to promote the progress of mathematical, physical and natural sciences and the study of epistemological problems relating thereto. The academicians were chosen on the basis of their eminent original scientific studies and of their acknowledged moral personality, without any ethnic or religious discrimination, and are nominated for life by sovereign act of the Pope. This international and interdisciplinary scientific body is subject to the direct authority of the Supreme Pontiff. The academicians would contribute to the activities of the Academy and attend its Plenary Session during October-November every two years and participate in other scientific matters organised by the Academy, according to a ISRO release here today.

The Holy Father will present Dr Kasturirangan the insignia of his appointment at a solemn pontifical audience sometime in the near future.

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