Renowned scientist and former chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Dr. Vasant Gowarikar died on Friday in Pune’s Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital. The 81-year-old Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient passed away after a brief illness. Dr. Gowarikar also served as scientific advisor to late Prime Minister PV Narasimha Rao between 1991 and 1993.