Renowned scientist and space veteran Dr Vasant Gowarikar passed away on January 02, 2015 at the age of 81. He was being treated for dengue and urinary tract infection at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital in Pune.
He was famously known as 'Father of Indian Monsoon Model', as he was man behind the country's first monsoon forecast model. Gowariker was called upon by Indian meteorological department (IMD) in response to the 1987 drought. The Indian meteorologists had predicted normal rains that year, which turned out to be weakest in two decades.
Since 1988, government meteorologists have been using this model, which is also named after Gowarikar, to make fairly accurate monsoon predictions and well in advance. This model proved to be very helpful for the planners to make adequate adjustments in the areas of civil supplies, cropping patterns and oil seeds import.
Gowarikar, was hand picked by emminent scientist Dr Vikram Sarabhai and was part of the famed group of scientists who initiated country’s satellite research programme. The group included some big names such as APJ Kalam, EV Chitnis, Pramod Kale and UR Rao among others.
Gowarikar had also served as scientific advisor to former Prime Minister late PV Narasimha Rao.
He had worked with the Indian Space Research Organisation and also been secretary, department of science and technology.
