CHEP mourns the loss of their eminent colleague, Padmashri Awardee Prof. Rohini Godbole.
She was a wonderful colleague, chair of the Centre for five years, and a collaborator and a close friend of many in the department, including myself. I will personally miss her a lot as her office is just in front of mine, and she would just drop in to mine whenever she is in town, chat about various things including of course physics. For the last few months, we have been discussing a model of NMSSM and two-component dark matter. The last I met her was just before she was admitted to Aster Hospital. She sent me a cheerful picture of her outing in Pune. CHEP will never be the same again.
Memorial Service at CHEP
-Prof. Sudhir K. Vempati, Chair CHEP

Prof Godbole’s contributions are immense, and she will be greatly missed not just by family and CHEP, but also by a large number of collaborators, friends, and people who were greatly inspired by her energy. Read full article
- Indian institute of Science

As we bid adieu to this little giant of a woman, I would like to appeal to the world she leaves behind — let's make it easy, let's make it kind, let's make it compassionate for women to enter science, and stay there. Read full article
- Nature India

I will remember Rohini as a generous and dynamic spirit who was always willing to engage with critique, but also for her stubborn optimism in the face of systemic apathy. The best way for us to honour her memory will be to stay hopeful and keep up the momentum. Read full article
- Nandita Jayaraj, FRONTLINE

Prof Godbole was a role model for young researchers, particularly women scientists struggling against gender bias and negative attitudes Read Full article
- Prof. Sunil Mukhi, IISER Pune

Rohini was a strong supporter of the INO project. She did everything that she could for making it a reality. Today the Indian HEP community lost their mentor and the women in science lost their champion
- B. Satyanarayana, TIFR Mumbai

I am very sorry to hear that Prof. Rohini Godbole passed away. She is a long time colleagues of us for LHC, ILC, CEPC and other projects, played a very important role in high energy physics in Asia and in the world. She was a member of many International advisory committees, include the one for CEPC in China. I personally had a lot of interactions with her, and benefited a lot from her. It is really a great loss of our field. Please pass our condolence to her family, friends and colleagues. We miss her a lot.
Official Letter of Condolence - Institute of HEP, CAS
- Yifang Wang

It is with profound sadness that we have learned about the passing of Rohini Godbole. A brilliant phenomenologist and a visionary leader, Rohini has inspired students and researchers across the world. For her outstanding achievements, she received several awards, including the prestigious Padma Shri. She was a passionate advocate for women in science, breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations. Her enthusiasm, passion, and joy of living will be deeply missed. On behalf of the CERN Theory Department, I have sent our condolences to her colleagues at the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and to her family.
-Gian Francesco Giudice

With great sadness, we have learned this morning that Rohini Godbole has passed away. Rohini was such an inspiring physicist and kind person. She was a frequent visitor of Nikhef and the Dutch theoretical particle physics community. Rohini will be sorely missed. We would like to express our deepest condolences to Rohini's colleagues at IISc. 
- Robert Fleischer, On behalf of the Nikhef Theory Group

I was really saddened to hear of Rohini’s passing. She was certainly a brilliant researcher and had an impactful presence in Indian science. I do remember seeing her again and chatting with her last time I was in India, in January.
- V. P. Nair, City College of the CUNY

With deep sadness, the colleagues from the Theory Group at PRL extend their heartfelt condolences on the passing of Professor Rohini Godbole. Prof. Godbole had a strong association  with PRL and visited us many times, the last one was in  2019 for the decadal review. She will be remembered not only for her groundbreaking contributions to science but also for her steadfast commitment to enhancing women's participation in the field.  The void left by her passing will be profoundly difficult to fill. 
-Dr. Srubabati Goswami, Theoretical Physics Division Physical Research Laboratory

On behalf of the Institute of Physics at the University of Amsterdam I hereby offer my deepest condolences on the passing of Rohini Godbole. Rohini was our visiting Van der Waals Professor in 2018, and visited on many other occasions as well. She had a major impact on the research of our high energy physics department, and was a wonderful colleague and friend to many of us. During her stay she inspired many of our young women scientists with personal connections and a colloquium that many still remember. We shall very fondly and very gratefully remember her.
-Eric Laenen, Director, Institute of Physics, University of Amsterdam

Professor Rohini Godbole was awarded the Ordre National du Mérite by the French government in January 2021. This distinction was awarded for the scientific collaborations she led between France and India within the Laboratoire International Associé (LIA-THEP*), funded by CNRS Physics, the Franco-Indian network (INFRE-HEPNET**) and the Centre Franco-Indien pour la Promotion de la Recherche Avancée (CEFIPRA). The great involvement of this theoretical physicist in the promotion and visibility of women in science was also honored. I was told that her last visit outside India was presumably to the LAPTh, last June/July and she will be greatly missed by our colleagues and friends in Annecy. I am very sorry to hear this and would like to offer my condolences to you and your colleagues.
-Thierry DAUXOIS, Directeur de CNRS Physique

Her passing away has brought immense sadness to me. Though I did not see eye to eye with her always, her very dynamic presence always left me in awe. She made many significant contributions to the field I love, and equally importantly, had immense impact. Her own encounters with unwarranted prejudices and deliberate lack of recognition in the early days, and her eventual triumph over all those negativities is the most inspiring lesson for many. Om Shanti
-N. D. Hari Dass, HEP colleague

I met Rohini ma`am for the first time in 2013 in a SERC school at IIT Kanpur where she was teaching us standard model. Since then during several occasions, I kept on meeting her. Her enthusiasm and the interest in science used to amaze me a lot. We would often fall asleep in talks, but we would find her always listening attentively and also asking good questions at the end. We bonded a lot when I meet her during my Annecy visit. We were sharing the same hostel and also visited several places together. I will miss her dearly. Her demise has left a big void in particle physics community.
- Disha Bhatia, student

I knew Professor Rohini Godbole for more than a year as the CV Raman postdoc in the IISc. During this time, I have the pleasure of discussing physics with her on many occasions, including asking lots of question and listening to he insightful answers. In addition, I did attend 3 conferences co-organized by her which had a profound impact on me and my development as a physicist. That was around her 70th birthday which we celebrated with her. Professor Godbole was a very knowledgeable and intelligent physicist who gave me a lost of insight and things to think about. She will be missed
- Fayez Abu-Ajamieh, Former Post-Doc, CHEP

Her legacy will live on in the countless lives she touched, and the Indo-French scientific community will deeply miss her presence. Read Full post
-The French Institute in India

Her iconic and legendary presence was tangible by the long lines of participants taking selfies with her or simply wanting to greet her and bask in her presence.Prof Godbole will be remembered not only for her intellectual contributions but also for her kindness, humility, warmth and joy for life and always doing the right thing. Read full obituary message
- Third World Academy of Sciences

I was looking for a familiar face in the conference room when I showed up in the MASS 2018 conference in Odense, Denmark. Then I saw Rohini there! People of my age called her ma'am. But I called her Rohini, despite the age-gap. Rohini, myself, and two other people stuck together during the entire duration of that conference.​ We visited touristic places of Odense together and clicked pictures.​ We also went to the conference dinner together​ and discussed about BSM searches in CMS. ​Sporadic memories like this come to my mind after I heard that she is no more. May her soul rest in peace.
-Swagata Mukherjee, IIT Kanpur

It is with sadness that I reconcile that she is no more. She was a dear friend and supported me in my endeavors. We collaborated on a paper in 2014. Her energy for life and for doing physics will always guide me in the future.
- Srihari Gopalakrishna, Friend, Collaborator

Certainly, she will be remembered as a pioneer as long as the high energy physics community in India thrives, and women continue to make science their career choice. This will ultimately be the historical niche which she created all by herself and which her memory will adorn for the years to come. Read Full obituary message here
- Prof. Sreerup Raychauduri

This message is from the Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc), Chennai. Rohini was a dear friend of many of us at IMSc, and of IMSc itself. She has helped our Institute immensely. She has been a strong supporter of the India-based Neutrino Observatory. She was extremely passionate about physics and was a constant source of support to us. She had an inexhaustible supply of energy, and was a most enthusiastic participant in physics meetings. We are saddened that she will not be with us in person in the future, but she will continue to be a source of inspiration in spirit.
-Prof. Ravindran, Director, IMSc, Chennai

I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Rohini, ma'am. Her wisdom, enthusiasm, and kindness have left an indelible mark on me. I am blessed to work with and learn from her. She shaped me into what I am today. I will forever be grateful to her. May her soul rest in peace, and may we find comfort in the legacy of learning and love she leaves behind.
- Abhishek Roy, Student and Collaborator

Rohini had been a kind and generous friend to me for more than 30 years, after we first met in Mumbai in 1987 when she was working in Mumbai University and I was a PostDoc in Mathematics. She was a shining star, a legendary physics professor, and a warm and genrous friend. She visited IIT Kanpur recently, and at her wish, we made a memorable trip to Bithoor, which she enjoyed. She will be an Inspiration to all of us forever. I feel blessed to have known her. Om Shanti.
-Aparna Dar, Emeritus Prof, IIT Kanpur

Sincere and fond remembrance of Rohini. So many memories over 40 years. My hearfelt condolences to her family especially her sisters, who looked after her so well.
- Neelima M Gupte, Friend

The spirit and achievement of Rohini Madam will continue to inspire future young scientists especially girls (like my daughter) towards achieving greater goals confidently.
- Santhaseelan Alagappan

‘Mere paas Maa hain’: Remembering Rohini Godbole
Physicist, feminist, mentor and friend, Godbole was a pioneer not just in her field but also in how she treated her students and championed the cause of women in STEM. Read full article
- Ritesh K. Singh

Rohini had a formidable presence in any room. Whenever she spoke to me, that voice had remarkable love and concern. It is difficult to accept that fact that this enthusiasm will be missing next time I visit iisc. Obituary Message from IIA
- IIA, Bengaluru

Each of us who have been touched by Rohini’s gentle yet resolute spirit, holds within us the desire to carry on Rohini’s empowered vision for the world. To commemorate a giant like Rohini, we will need to keep the efforts going for a long, long time. Read full article
- Aashima, Life of Science

"Albert Einstein lived here" was a cartoon made by Herbert L Block, just shows the earth with the arrow indicating the above. Showing that Einstein's legacy has transcended the border of country continents. I first saw her at a public talk at IIT Madras, even in the latest auditorium we had to stand for an hour as the floors were packed. She had amazing enthusiasm and also begged people not to call this "God Particle". The second and the true meet happened during the QM II course at IISc (probably her last QM course), that's a first time I saw the width and depth of her knowledge, a lazy qm course is very easy to design just follow sakurai book and dust off some of the old graduate notes for exam problems and assignment. However, her approach was completely new staring from unitarity of S matrix to optical theorem to 3 different proof of Wigner -Ekart theorem that's too not using group theory to nuclear theory, its a genuine "tour de Force" , me and parthiv had to spend a lot of time finding appropriate books and, monstrous last assignment which was about 20 A4 page (mainly done by pathiv). Overall the course gave a lot of ideas about how to conduct research in general. Parthiv and Partha and me had a lot of discussion about the angular momentum part that time mainly for the mathematics for the angular momentum part. After my MS I used to visit IISc time to time she remembered me (partially maybe my class participation was almost 100% with first 2 bench seat) clearly asked my What I am doing now, i joined rri and did not have any guide yet she told me " don't worry things would be good". That's a sweet gesture from someone who does not have much reason to remember me and I was quite at a low point at that time for other reasons. Also, I remember GW wave public announcement happens during February 2016 and in the next class she told me "you guys are the luckiest generation Higgs boson and GW in span of half decade yet you are young". Rest In Peace
- Sayantan Ghosh, Student

Obituary Note - CNRS India Office

I am in tears and lost for words. Rohini was an idol! She will be sorely missed! What a loss for the community, specially for women in physics.
- Venus Keus

A learned scholar, down to earth, always willing to help a learner, Dr Rohini Godbole will be badly missed. She had visited the Karnataka State Women's University, Vijayapur on many occasions and motivated faculty/students with her intellectual expertise. Our sincere condolences to her family . May her soul rest in peace.
- Meena Chandawarkar

I will converse with my msg here as I do not think I can speak today. I knew Rohini since my student days in IISc. I am not a physicist so my interactions with her were not about physics. We did discuss science and challenges in doing science a lot. But I interacted with her mostly about life in general and of course Women in Science. She loved her plants and her sarees. Most recently, a couple of weeks she sent me a picture of herself in a Saree I had gifted to her and she had worn it that day. We also discussed about where she had seen Koalas and in her conversations, she mentioned she was doing poorly health wise. She said it was “touch and go for a while but the point is I have now improved. And today she is gone. She told me last year she was not well, but she was so brave. She touched so many lives and including mine and that of my 9 year daughter. Rest in power Rohini.
- Manjari Jain

A remarkable woman, a fierce scientist and tireless advocate for women in science. Her brilliance and unyielding dedication paved the way for countless women, breaking barriers and opening doors in academia and research. Many of us, myself included, owe our fellowships and opportunities to her unwavering fight for gender equality in science. Her legacy will continue to inspire future generations. Rest in peace, a true warrior for women in science.
- Chetana

One of the most 'human' yet 'firebrand' people I had the good fortune to know.
- Subhankar Biswas

It has been a tremendous shock, and hence better to type a message rather than to speak. I have known Rohini for over twenty five years- right from my student days.. She was inspirational role model; a pillar of support for women in science activities. I met her about 4-5 weeks back in the hospital in pune.. she was so full of life and we talked about so many things for over an hour...it is impossible to believe that she is gone... rest in peace, Rohini... you have left behind a huge void
- Vandana Nanal

I first met Rohini at ICTP in late 70's. I have worked with her in some commitees. Rohini was a remarkable scientist - passionate about her science and other activities she was involved. We will miss a wonderful friend and an outstanding scientist
- Bhaskaran

Prof Rohini Godbole taught us Quantum Mechanics at the Univ Dept of Physics, Bombay University 1984-86. As Lab in charge for COSIP lab she blew off my misbelief then that theoretical physicists may not know Electronics circuit design. She brought out my mistakes in calculations of h-parameters. Very shocked and sad that a thorough physicist who achieved so much is no more.
-Amol Bhagwat

I am sorry that I can not talk as I think I can not finish a sentence. To tell you how shocked I am , when I wrote to my daughters this morning they both called me to ask how *I* was doing and they were among the first ones to give me support, a support that I want to convey to her family. Rohini was not just a colleague, a collaborator and a friend but has become part of my family. To cheer you up, my daughters looked up to her as soon as they felt mature enough, when they were kids both run to her and measured themselves against her...and waited for the day when they would be a bit taller but they always looked up in particular for what she has done for Women in STEM, Noor is certainly tremendously grateful and Rohini was proud of that. on the physics front, Genevieve will say more about our collaboration or part of it and the Indo-French collaboration, the Ordre du Mérite, the Les Houches that she never wanted to miss. I can now not even write more I still have the message I received this morning from her phone, saying last seen....But so many memories remain. And of course I would like to convey the sympathy of the French community and the members of LAPTh Annecy, Annecy where she had her last visit in June outside India (there was stop in Geneva)....she thanked Ini for the dal and the curry pasta tat we brought from the South of France
- Fawzi Boudjema

This is a great loss to Physics in general and particle physics in particular. I have known Rohini since the time I started my PhD. Rohini was a driving force in the field of particle physics - a force to reckon with. Her enthusiasm was as inspiring as her grasp on physics. She was the face of women in science in India and worldwide and an inspiration for all of us. It is difficult to believe she is not amongst us anymore, but her memory and legacy will be with us forever.
- Sandhya Choubey

Words of praise to the excellent physicist and activist in favor of women in science that Rohini was. I feel immensely grateful she accepted me as a summer student first, as MSc thesis exchange student next and research associate last. We remained in touch since. I owe my PhD position to Rohini, also my early understanding that, beyond a physicist, I wanted to be an active supporter of the most disfavored, particularly women. I vow to her as role model. Thank you, Rohini. I will always miss the hug we were meant to give each other last month in Split.
- Veronica Errasti Diez

A great loss to the science community. Her energy , enthusiasm and passion for physics is remarkable and infectious. I had lots of interaction with her during my postdoc period in TIFR and learned a lot from her. A great human being and a great science leader . We will miss her a lot.
- Surya Nayak

I first met Rohini in IOP SERC school where she was giving a short course on DIS. She was a remarkable person , full of life and passion for Physics. She was a very inspiring teacher of exceptional abilities. She was a person of very deep knowledge, understanding and insight in different subdisciplines of high energy physics. She was a pioneer and lead the women in science movement upfront. It is an immense and irreparable loss for the community. My deepest condolences.
- Vivek Kumar Tiwari

A great loss for the Community in the field of HEP. I met her in my Ph.D days and was really inspired by the small lady in the saree but very strong. Her role in Women in Science has inspired many of us and we should carry her legacy. She will always remain in our memories through her work. May she rest in peace
- Anju Bhasin

Rohini was very active and charted her own path in Particle Physics. She interacted with the experimental community quite intensively and extensively and that was very fruitful.
- Manas Maity

Rohini made unique contributions to particle physics and many other issues. She will be dearly missed.
- Amitava Raychaudhuri

Rohini was a great person, always smiling, full of energy. Her passing away is great loss to all. My heartfelt condolences. May the great soul rest in peace.
- S.N. Mishra

Rohini will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Her passion and commitment to progressive causes will continue to inspire many women and men. It is a personal loss of a dear friend for me.
- Amit Roy

Rohini was a dear friend and source of support to me and my companion of those times, Vijayalakshmi, during my Ph.D days and we all shared a sense of how things must be better. She went on to do just that — in her work, in her commitment to the community of scientists who worked with and to the STEM community, above all to the women in science. I am still very shocked that she is no more…
- Thiagarajan Jayaraman

It is going to be very difficult to get used to the fact that Rohini is no more. I was so used to receiving messages and calls at frequent intervals. This in addition to all the meetings we had at conferences and all the collaborations.
- Saurabh Rindani

I knew Rohini since 1991, when I attended the SERC school in PRL. It was really a very shocking news and great loss to physics community. In last June I organised a summer school for differently abled students in physics. Because of her Ill health she could not attend the school physically, but to encourage us she addressed the students online. She will surely be missed.
- Bhabani Prasad Mandal

I first met Rohini when I visited IISc for my PhD interview in 2010, and we continued to cross paths frequently, as I became a regular visitor there. We collaborated on a project about long-lived particles alongside Biplob, Swagata, and Fawzi. I also shared many discussions on top-quark physics with her. I have fond memories of discussing with her during my time in France while she was visiting LAPTh. Our social interactions will remain in my mind.
In a world where the struggle for gender equality persists, Rohini was a pioneering force, driving this movement from within India. I hope her legacy endures, leading us toward a future where gender equality is a given, unquestioned and universal.
- Shankha Bannerjee

I have learnt a lot while interacting and working with Rohini. I was always amazed to see her enthusiasm in a wide variety of topics and the clarity in her understanding. I will miss her dearly.
- Rhitaja Sengupta

Rohini is an inspiration to all women scientists in India ... It is amazing how much power she packed in whatever she did. Her strength was amazing. Rohini, you will be sorely missed but we promise to give it our all
- Sarbari Bhattacharya

Rohini had a formidable presence in any room. Whenever she spoke to me, that voice had remarkable love and concern. It is difficult to accept that fact that this enthusiasm will be missing next time I visit iisc.
- IIA, Bengaluru

Rohini wasa superb scientist and a champion for gender in science activities. We have served together on several fora, the latest being the Steering Committee of Inter-Academy Panel.
- Shobhona

A great loss for the Physics Community. I am still unable to come out from the shock that I got when I heard Rohini is no more. My last conversation with her was in July this year, when we were planning to invite her to give a Colloquium at IACS. Unfortunately, she could not come due to her health issues. I did not expect to attend this memorial service so early.
- Dilip Kumar Ghosh

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