Yash Pal Biography 
Professor Yash Pal is an Indian scientist and educator, most popular during 1990’s with Doordarshan science program, Turning Point. His study of cosmic rays has been his most valuable contribution. He has also served the country as an educationalist. He has been honoured with India's second highest Civilian Honour Padma Vibhushan in 2013. In 1976, he was awarded with Padma Bhushan for his contributions to science and space technology. In October 2011 he was also awarded the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award for his wonderful account as an educationalist.
Yash Pal was born in 1926 in Jhang (present Pakistan), British India and brought up in Haryana. He graduated with a Masters degree in physics from Punjab University in 1949. Yash Pal started his career at the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) in Mumbai. Later he took Ph.D. degree in Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958. Then he returned back to TIFR where he remained until 1973. He became the first Director of the newly set up Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad in 1973, though he continued his association with TIFR. It was the newly set up Department of space by Indian Government.
Later he became an important scientist of India, doing administrative assignments at the Government level. He was appointed as the Secretary General of the Second United Nations Conference on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (1981–82). Chief Consultant, Planning Commission, Secretary, Department of Science and Technology and finally the chairman of University Grants Commission were the different posts held by this Indian scientist.
Yash Pal has also contributed the country in the role as an educationalist by initiating programs like Hoshangabad Science Teaching Programme. In 1993, he acted as chairman of MHRD to do a detailed study of overburdening of school children. The report of the committee, entitled "Learning without Burden" is now used as a seminal document in Indian education. He was the person behind the concept of science program on Doordarshan, the first one of this type – Turning point. This program made him a popular figure nationwide and his scientific explanations in simple language made this program popular among children as well as adults.
He was an atheist, and opposed belief in deities, astrology and religious rituals, dismissing them as unscientific.
He died due to old age related illnesses on 24 July 2017 in Noida, Uttar Pradesh.
Published: N/A
Updated: June 13, 2018
