NEW DELHI, March 14 (Xinhua) -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi Wednesday condoled the death of celebrated British physicist Stephen Hawking as "anguishing."

"Professor Stephen Hawking was an outstanding scientist and academic. His grit and tenacity inspired people all over the world. His demise is anguishing. Professor Hawking's pioneering work made our world a better place. May his soul rest in peace," Modi tweeted.

The physicist, known for his ground-breaking work on black holes and relativity, passed away at his home in Cambridge early this morning, aged 76, after being confined to a wheelchair since the age of 22 when he was diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease.

"We are deeply saddened that our beloved father passed away today. He was a great scientist and an extraordinary man whose work and legacy will live on for many years," Professor Hawking's children, Lucy, Robert, and Tim said in a statement.