Vikram Sarabhai
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (1919 - 1971), the architect of India's space programme, was born on August 12, 1919 in Ahmedabad as the son of an industrialist. He did his tripos (a final honours examination) in natural sciences from Cambridge University in 1940. Returning to India when World War II broke out, he began pursuing research in cosmic rays under C. V. Raman at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (now Bengaluru). In 1945, he went back to Cambridge to do his Ph.D in nuclear fission.
In post-independence India, Sarabhai went on to establish numerous institutions including research laboratories, a dance academy in collaboration with his wife, dancer Mrinalini, and the prestigious Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. His interests were not limited to scientific research but encompassed industry, business, and development issues. He followed a consistent approach involving the use of scientific methods, sound financial planning and a clear nationalistic purpose.
In 1962, Prime Minister Nehru invited Sarabhai to organise India's space research. He was appointed chairman of the Indian National Committee for Space Research, which was later renamed the indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
In 1963, Sarabhai with active support from Homi Bhaba, set up India's first rocket launching station at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram. The first rocket with sodium vapour payload was launched on November 21, 1963. In 1965, the UN General Assembly officially recognised the Thumba Rocket Launching Station as an international facility.
After Bhaba's untimely death in a plane crash, Sarabhai became the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Carrying forward his predecessor's work in the field of nuclear research, Sarabhai played a key role in the establishment and development of India's nuclear power plants. He laid the foundations for the indigenous development of nuclear technology for defence purposes.
Awards won by Sarabhai in his lifetime include the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Memorial Award for Physics in 1962 and Padma Bhushan in 1966. He was also awarded with the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
Sarabhai died prematurely in 1971, at the age of 52.
