New Delhi: professor MGK Menon, an acclaimed physicist, who had played a prominent role in the development of science and technology in the country over the last five decades, breathed his last in New Delhi yesterday. He was 88 years old. He leaves behind his wife, a son and a daughter.

Menon, had headed the Indian Space Research Organisation in 1972 as its Chairman. He served as a Minister of State for Science and Technology and Education in the V.P Singh government and had earlier worked as Secretary in the Departments of Science and Technology and Environment in the Union government.

Menon was a member of the Planning Commission, Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister, Vice President, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research and Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha. He was also a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences and the Royal Society of London.

A recipient of Padma awards including Padma Vibhushan, Menon had done scientific work in cosmic rays, particle physics and distinguished himself with investigations in the field.