I. B. S. Passi (1939–2021)

Abstract

Eminent Indian mathematician Prof. I. B. S. Passi passed away on 2 October 2021 in Mohali, Punjab. He was born on 20 August 1939 in Bilaspur, Jagadhari district, Haryana and lived mostly in Punjab. The journey of Passi, especially as an academician, is noteworthy, being decorated with several achievements, including the Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar (SSB) prize, the highest science award in India, in the Mathematical Sciences category. Passi graduated from D. M. College, Moga, Punjab in 1958, and moved to Panjab University, Chandigarh, where he completed M.A. in mathematics in 1960. His first appointment was at the National College, Sirsa, Haryana as a Lecturer in 1960. In 1961, he joined the Department of Mathematics, Kurukshetra University, Haryana. In 1963, Passi was awarded the Commonwealth Scholarship to work at the University of Exeter, England, UK, with Professor David Rees, who was popular amongst algebraists for the Artin–Rees lemma. After receiving his doctoral degree at Exeter, he returned to Kurukshetra University in July 1966, where he became a Reader in 1967 and eventually a full Professor in 1975. In 1979, Passi joined the Centre for Advanced Study in Mathematics, Panjab University where he served as a Professor until his retirement in 2000. During this tenure, he served in the administration as well.