Goa, May 20 -- India is mourning the loss of Jayant Vishnu Narlikar, a pioneering astrophysicist whose bold ideas reshaped modern cosmology. Narlikar passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a legacy of groundbreaking scientific research and tireless science communication.

Known globally for his collaboration with British cosmologist Fred Hoyle, Narlikar co-developed the Hoyle-Narlikar theory of gravitation, which challenged the prevailing Big Bang theory and sparked global scientific debate. His work stood as a testament to scientific curiosity and the spirit of intellectual independence.

Beyond academia, Narlikar was deeply committed to bringing science to the masses. As the founder of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and...