India bids a fond farewell to one of its most distinguished space pioneers, Dr. Eknath Vasant Chitnis, who passed away peacefully at his home in Pune on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
Celebrating a remarkable century of life, Dr. Chitnis had recently turned 100. His family confirmed that he had been unwell for a few days and succumbed to a heart attack that morning.
A visionary and recipient of the prestigious Padma Bhushan, Dr. Chitnis was instrumental in laying the groundwork for India’s space ambitions. He played a pivotal role during the formative years of the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR), the precursor to our esteemed Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
His expertise extended to critical decisions, including the crucial task of selecting Thumba in Kerala as the launch site for India’s inaugural rocket. Later in his illustrious career, he proudly served as the second Director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad, from 1981 to 1985.
Dr. Chitnis was a close confidante and one of the last living colleagues of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, revered as the father of India’s ambitious space program.
Beyond his own achievements, he is also fondly remembered for mentoring and guiding a young, aspiring scientist who would later become a national icon: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.
Dr. Chitnis leaves behind a loving family, including his son Dr. Chetan Chitnis, daughter-in-law Amika, and granddaughters Tarini and Chandini, along with a nation grateful for his immeasurable contributions.