<p>Renowned scientist Mambillikalathil Govind Kumar Menon, who spearheaded the Kolar Gold Fields experiment on cosmic rays in the 1960s passed away on Monday. He was 88.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A close associate of Homi Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, Menon became the director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai in 1966 at the age of 38.<br /><br />He was TIFR director till 1975. In between he also headed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)for nine months in 1972 after Vikram Sarabhai.<br /><br />Scientific triumphs<br />Menon undertook experiments with cosmic rays to explore the properties of fundamental particles, besides being actively involved in setting up balloon flight experiments, as well as deep underground experiments with cosmic ray neutrinos in the underground mines at Kolar Gold Fields, said a statement from the National Academy of Sciences.<br /><br />Goku to friends and Goku-dada to kids, Menon was born in Manglauru in 1928, Menon as a policy maker rose to become a member of Parliament and a minister at the Centre. He also headed almost all Indian scientific departments. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.<br /> <br /></p>
<p>Renowned scientist Mambillikalathil Govind Kumar Menon, who spearheaded the Kolar Gold Fields experiment on cosmic rays in the 1960s passed away on Monday. He was 88.<br /><br /></p>.<p>A close associate of Homi Bhabha, the father of India's nuclear programme, Menon became the director of Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai in 1966 at the age of 38.<br /><br />He was TIFR director till 1975. In between he also headed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)for nine months in 1972 after Vikram Sarabhai.<br /><br />Scientific triumphs<br />Menon undertook experiments with cosmic rays to explore the properties of fundamental particles, besides being actively involved in setting up balloon flight experiments, as well as deep underground experiments with cosmic ray neutrinos in the underground mines at Kolar Gold Fields, said a statement from the National Academy of Sciences.<br /><br />Goku to friends and Goku-dada to kids, Menon was born in Manglauru in 1928, Menon as a policy maker rose to become a member of Parliament and a minister at the Centre. He also headed almost all Indian scientific departments. He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.<br /> <br /></p>
