The Government of India, recently, rolled out a New Education Policy that revamped the current system of education and dissemination of information to students. The policy received much appreciation for being innovative and breaking through the age-old system of rote learning while incorporating the opportunity for extracurricular activities and the development of skill training crucial for children growing up to be professional. A huge credit for this progress development in the education system is given to Dr Kasturirangan and his team who are responsible for the architecture of the New Education Policy that has graced the country after three long decades since the last change in education policy in the country. The New Education Policy has much scope for development.

“Education cannot be in watertight compartments anymore. A chartered accountant cannot just study finance. The panel felt that the various aspects and stages in a child’s education must be interconnected, like school to college to university education. There must be coherence for holistic learning. We can no more afford to be straight-jacketed,” said Dr Kasturirangan, who was head of the drafting committee. He strongly advocates diversity in education. 

Eminent scientist, who was the former chair to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for nine years, Dr Kasturirangan has spearheaded several spatial developments in the last decade in the country. Some of the projects he had achieved during his tenure at ISRO include the Indian Space program, Indian National Satellite (INSAT-2) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellites (IRS-1A & 1B). He was crucial in several launches during his time in ISRO such as the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle and Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle. He left ISRO in the year 2003 and he became a Member of Parliament. 

The following year he became the director of National Institute of Advanced Studies Bangalore for five years and has written about 200 papers. Additionally, he also a Fellow at several reputed organisations like the Indian Academy of Sciences, Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences of India, Indian National Academy, Astronautical Society of India, National Telematics Forum, The Indian Meteorological Society and The Third World Academy of Sciences.

He is a recipient of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, along with several other awards celebrating how much of a genius he truly is. Currently, he is the Chancellor of Central University of Rajasthan and NIIT University. Earlier, he was the Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University and chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission. 

Dr Kasturirangan has developed several education policies over the years and throughout his career. The New Education Policy of 2020 has received much praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi who pointed out that the policy would create the foundation for the 21st century. Dr Kasturirangan has pursued Bachelors of Science with Honours, and a Master of Science in Physics from Bombay University. He completed a doctorate in Experimental High Energy Astronomy in the year 1971. 

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