Search the Internet            Tips

Stephen Hawking arrives in Bombay

World-renowned physicist Professor Stephen Hawking arrived in the commercial capital of the country, where he will address a series of lectures on various scientific subjects.

On his arrival at the Oberoi hotel facing the Arabian Sea in Bombay, Prof Hawking, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation of scientists, was accorded a traditional welcome, a spokesperson of the hotel said.

The British Council, in association with the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, is organising a public lecture by Prof Hawking titled ''Science in the Future'' on January 14 at the Shanmukhananda Hall in Bombay.

The British theoretical physicist is acknowledged as a genius with a flair for bringing advanced theories in physics within grasping limits of the common man.

Most of his life's work is devoted to understanding and probing deep questions about the universe and its origins, raised by Einstein's general theory of relativity. He is also the author of the international best-seller A Brief History of Time.

Prof Hawking has produced most of his scientific work while confined to a wheel-chair. His condition was brought about by the progressive neurological disease amyotropic lateral sclerosis.

Despite being unable to use pen and paper, he is able to solve problems by constructing necessary diagrams and manipulating the complex equations in his head.

He lost his speech entirely after a tracheotomy in 1985. He now speaks through a voice synthesiser attached to his wheel-chair mounted computer, a system that also enables him to store his answers to frequently asked questions.

''His arrival in Bombay will help us know answers to many queries like that of Black Holes'', says theoretical physicist Dr Abhas Mitra, who works with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre.

Prof Hawking turns 59 on January 8 and on this occasion a small banquet has been organised at the hotel. He leaves India on January 15.

UNI

Back to top

Tell us what you think of this report