Professor Eknath Chitnis, pioneer behind Thumba rocket launch centre, dies aged 100

MUMBAI: Renowned scientist Professor Eknath Vasant Chitnis (100), one of the architects of the Indian space programme, passed away. Chitnis breathed his last in his residence in Pune on Wednesday. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan by the country in 1985. Chitnis was a crucial player who toiled hard to see ISRO succeed. It was Chitnis who chose Thumba as the country's first rocket launch centre.

Chitnis led the first launch from the Thumba Rocket Launching Station in 1963. That was the beginning of India's space saga. He was a founding member of the Indian National Committee for Space Research and even recommended Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam for training at NASA and for the SLV project. Chitnis was also the former chairman of the Press Trust of India.

Family members:

Wife: Late Kumud Chitnis. Son: Dr Chetan Chitnis. Daughter-in-law: Ambika.

Chetan, who gained attention through his research on malaria, was awarded the Padma Shri this year.