Dr. Vikram A. Sarabhai |
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Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was the father of India’s space programme. |
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Born at Ahmedabad on 12th August 1919, he obtained his Tripos (1939) and Ph. D. (1947) in cosmic ray physics from Cambridge University, U.K. He worked with Sir C.V.Raman, the Nobel Laureate, at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. On his return from Cambridge, Dr. Sarabhai set up the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad. He was also responsible for establishing the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Reaserch Association (ATIRA) and the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. |
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He established the Community Science Centre under the aegis of the Nehru Foundation for Development, which was renamed as Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre. In 1966, Dr. Sarabhai was appointed as Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission, and Government of India. He saw the tremendous potential of using modem science to help in the process of development. He drew up plans to take modern education to the remotest villages by using satellite television. |
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He was awarded in 1962 the Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Memorial Award to Physics. He was also honored with the award of Padma Bhusan in 1966 by the government of India. The Padma Vibhusan was awarded to him posthumously. |
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