Stephen Hawking is no more

STEPHEN WILLIAM HAWKING who was an English theoretical physicist, cosmologist, author and the Director of Research at the Centre for Theoretical Cosmology at the University of Cambridge is no more. He died peacefully at his home in Cambridge in England. His genius and physical disability made him a household name and inspiration across the globe. He breathed his last at the age of 76.

His scientific works included a collaboration with Roger Penrose on gravitational singularity theorems in the framework of general relativity and the theoretical prediction that black holes emit radiation, often termed Hawking radiation. Hawking was the first to set out a theory of cosmology explained by a union of the general theory of relativity and quantum mechanics. He was a vigorous supporter of the many-world interpretation of quantum mechanics. The whole world is deeply saddened by the death of this great British physicist.

Stephen Hawking was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose works will live for ever. He was not only a great scientist but a great human being who will inspire people to achieve the impossible despite facing a huge challenge in life. We can achieve anything in our life if we set our heart into it, said Stephen Hawking. His famous book 'A Brief History of Time' was on the best-seller list for a record-breaking 237 weeks. He was best known for his work on black holes. Hawking was confined to an electric wheelchair for much of his adult life as he was diagnosed with a rare disease at the age of 21. He was a great advocate of saving the world from global warming. His death is an irreparable loss to modern science but his life and scientific findings will inspire human beings for all ages to come.

Our heartiest tributes to him and I remember his unforgettable quote: "Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious."

Sajjad Hossain

Gulshan, Dhaka