M. G. K. Menon Biography 
M. G. K. Menon was an acclaimed physicist and ex-ISRO chief who played a prominent role in the development of science and technology in the country nearly last five decades. He was also a policy maker from India who hailed from Mangalore, but of Kerala origin. In his life time he has worked with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Indian Space Research Organisation and Department of Science & Technology, government of India. Government of India honoured him with the second highest civilian award Padma Vibhushan in 1985 and Padma Bhushan in 1968 for his outstanding contributions to the field of science and research. The asteroid 7564 Gokumenon was named in his honour.
He was also a recipient of numerous awards and honours including the prestigious Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology (1960), Fellow of the Royal Society (1970) and Abdus Salam Medal (1996). As a physicist and scientist, he is best known for his work in KGF Experiments (Particle experiments at Kolar Gold Fields). Menon had done scientific work in cosmic rays, particle physics and distinguished himself with investigations in the field. He got opportunity to do his research work under C. F. Powell, Nobel Prize laureate in Physics. He also served as s a minister of state for science and technology and education in the VP Singh government, and also as secretary in the Department of Science and Technology and Environment in the Union government.
His full name is Mambillikalathil Govind Kumar Menon. He was born on 28 August 1928 in Mangalore, Madras Presidency in British India. His college education was completed at Jaswant College, Jodhpur, and the Royal Institute of Science, Bombay, before he moved to University of Bristol for his doctorate studies. Once he returned he joined Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai in 1955, as insisted by Bhabha. Following his death, he became the director 1966, at the age of 38. He was associated with TIFR for nearly five decades, serving as director for 35 years. He became the chairman of ISRO in 1972, and was an elected Rajya Sabha member during 1990–96.
Published: September 17, 2018
Updated: September 17, 2018
