India’s Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope accorded IEEE Milestone status

BY PROF. YASHWANT GUPTA (NCRA)

India’s Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT), an SKA pathfinder, has been awarded Milestone status by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). It is one of only a handful of radio astronomy observatories to be accorded this prestigious international status.

The IEEE is the world’s largest technical professional organisation, dedicated to advancing technology in all areas related to electrical and electronics engineering. Its Milestones programme honours significant technical achievements and excellence for the benefit of humanity, carried out anywhere in the world, which have had a major impact.

The award citation notes that GMRT, which is operated by the National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA), “pioneered new techniques in antenna design, receiver systems, and signal transport over optical fibre” and made important discoveries in areas such as pulsars, supernovae, galaxies, quasars, and cosmology, “greatly enhancing our understanding of the Universe”.

The formal announcement was made at a dedication ceremony on 30 March 2021, by Chair of the IEEE History Committee Dr Janina Mazierska, and the immediate past President and CEO of the IEEE, Prof. Toshio Fukuda. The highlight of the event was a message from the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, who congratulated all the scientists and engineers associated with the GMRT. He described the observatory, with users from all over the world, as a modern symbol of India’s tradition of excellence in the field of astronomy.

The citation plaque was unveiled remotely by the Chief Guest, Shri K. N. Vyas, Secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy. Several other dignitaries were also present, and spoke of their hope that GMRT’s success would inspire the Indian science and technology community to reach even greater heights.

The presentation of the IEEE Milestone plaque for the GMRT by IEEE members Girish Khilari (Chair, IEEE Pune Section) and Dinanath Kholkar (Chair, Industry Relations IEEE Pune Section) to NCRA members Prof. Yashwant Gupta (Centre Director, NCRA) and Prof. Jayaram Chengalur (Dean NCRA Faculty).

CREDIT: NCRA and IEEE Pune Section