Under his Guiding Stars: Founder’s Day 2025 Honouring Prof. M. K. Vainu Bappu

The morning of 11th August 2025 dawned bright over the Indian Institute of Astrophysics, carrying with it a sense of reverence and pride. Although Founder’s Day is traditionally observed on 10th August, this year’s celebration was moved to Monday to allow the IIA community to gather fully. The occasion marked the birth anniversary of Prof. M. K. Vainu Bappu, the Institute’s visionary Founder Director, whose leadership and passion for the cosmos transformed the course of Indian astronomy and established a legacy that continues to inspire generations of scientists.

At 10:00 AM, the IIA Library in Bengaluru became the heart of the celebration. The bust of Prof. Bappu, placed prominently among the library’s treasured collections, was adorned with fresh, fragrant flowers arranged with care. The soft scent of blossoms filled the air as faculty members, researchers, students, and staff gathered in solemn respect. Prof. Annapurni Subramaniam, Director of IIA, led the tribute by placing a garland and delivering a brief but heartfelt address. She reflected on Prof. Bappu’s extraordinary contributions-from establishing world-class observatories to nurturing a culture of research excellence-and spoke of how his vision for Indian astronomy extended far beyond his time, continuing to shape the Institute’s scientific mission today. Her words served as a reminder that the pursuit of knowledge is as much about perseverance and foresight as it is about discovery.

At 10:45 AM, the celebrations moved to the IIA Auditorium for the annual Founder’s Day Lecture, delivered by Dr. Shailesh Nayak, Director of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), Bengaluru. His talk, rich with insights on contemporary scientific challenges, innovation, and interdisciplinary collaboration, resonated deeply with the audience, bridging the past achievements of Indian astronomy with the possibilities of its future. In true IIA tradition, the lecture was streamed live, enabling alumni, collaborators, and astronomy enthusiasts from across the globe to join virtually and be part of the occasion.

Parallel celebrations took place at the historic Kodaikanal Solar Observatory, where the photograph of Prof. Bappu was beautifully decorated with flowers and garlanded in a solemn tribute. Scientists, staff, and visitors gathered to honour his memory, sharing stories of his pivotal role in advancing solar research and guiding the observatory’s growth. The observatory also welcomed the public on this occasion, offering guided tours of its heritage instruments and archival collections. Visitors had the rare opportunity to view century-old equipment still in use and learn about the observatory’s contributions to global solar science-achievements deeply intertwined with Prof. Bappu’s vision and leadership.

As the day drew to a close, both in Bengaluru and Kodaikanal, the atmosphere was filled with the same spirit-one of gratitude, respect, and renewed commitment to the pursuit of astronomical discovery. Founder’s Day 2025 was not only a remembrance of the past but also a reaffirmation of the values that Prof. M. K. Vainu Bappu championed: scientific excellence, visionary leadership, and a tireless curiosity about the universe. His legacy continues to guide the Indian Institute of Astrophysics as it strives to explore the infinite frontiers of space, carrying forward the mission he set in motion decades ago.