Dr. Narinder Singh Kapany who has passed away at the age of 94 has been awarded the second highest Indian civilian honour. He has been bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan award posthumously and is recognized as the “Father of Fiber Optics” on a global scale.
He was endowed with the title The Man Who Bent Light. This scientific genius hailing from Punjab, India was recognized as one of the seven ‘Unsung Heroes’ by Fortune magazine in their ‘Businessman of the Century’ issue in 1999.
Kapany is indeed a man of numerous talents and accomplishments. Throughout his life and career, he has been a scientist, inventor, entrepreneur, business executive, academic scholar, professor, mentor, philan- thropist, art collector and an artist himself. Further notable undertakings.
His daughter accepted the award on her father's behalf and said the family is truly overwhelmed and humbled at the same time and expressed immensed gratitude towards the Government of India for recognizing her father's work and legacy.
Darpan Magazine had the once in a lifetime opportunity to do a cover story on this legend. He was at the 7th Annual Extraordinary Achievement Awards where he was the recipient of the International Sensation Award.
Kapani has also been the recipient of Pravasi Bharatiya Samman award bestowed upon him by the Indian Government.