Vikram Sarabhai was a pioneering Indian scientist and industrialist whose contributions to the fields of physics, space research, and nuclear power have set the stage for the modern scientific landscape of his nation. His tireless efforts and pioneering ideas have opened the door for future generations of scientists and engineers in India, inspiring and influencing those in these fields even today.
| Full name : | Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai |
| Born : | August 12, 1919 (Ahmedabad) |
| Died | 30 December 1971 (aged 52) |
| Parents: | Ambalal Sarabhai (father) ; Sarla Devi (mother ) |
| Spouse : | Mrinalini Sarabhai |
| Education : | University of Cambridge (BA, PhD) |
| Organization Founded : | Indian Space Research Organisation |
| Regarded as : | Father of the Indian Space Program |
| Rewards : | Padma Bhushan (1966), Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) (1972) |
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai, who was born on August 12, 1919, in the city of Ahmadabad, India, was an Indian physicist and industrialist who was instrumental in the development of space research and nuclear power in India. His work in these two fields helped to make India's presence felt in the international arena and provided the nation with a platform for growth and progress. His dedication to these causes was unwavering, and he made it his life's mission to create a better and brighter future for the people of India.
Contributions to Science and Technology:
Vikram Sarabhai was a renowned Indian physicist and industrialist who earned the title of 'Father of the Indian space program' for his immense contributions to space research. He was an innovator and creator of numerous institutions in various fields, including space, nuclear energy, arts, education, and management. His most notable contribution was the initiation of space research and development of nuclear power in India. He was instrumental in convincing the Government to form the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, with Dr. Sarabhai as its first chairperson. This committee was later renamed Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969, of which he continued to serve in an advisory role.
Personal life & Education:
Vikram Sarabhai, Son of Ambalal Sarabhai came from the prestigious Sarabhai family of India, who dedicated themselves to the Indian independence movement. A native of Gujarat, he studied at Gujarat College, Ahmedabad, before traveling to Cambridge, England to take his tripos in natural sciences in 1940. Upon returning to Cambridge in 1945, he earned his PhD after writing a thesis in 1947, “Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes.” Besides his academic pursuits, he also married the celebrated classical dancer Mrinalini in 1942 and had two children: the actress and activist Mallika, and Kartikeya, who also went on to pursue a career in science. Throughout his life, he remained a devoted follower of Jainism.
Professional life :
Famously referred to as the birthplace of space exploration in India, the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) was started in 1947 by Vikram Sarabhai. It began as a humble venture, with research on cosmic radiation, in the residence of Sarabhai known as the "RETREAT". The institute was officially established at the M.G. Science Institute, Ahmedabad, on 11 November 1947, with the support of the Karmkshetra Educational Foundation and the Ahmedabad Education Society. Prof. Kalpathi Ramakrishna Ramanathan was the inaugural Director of the institute. Initially, the focus of the research was on cosmic rays and the properties of the upper atmosphere. With grants from the Atomic Energy Commission, research areas were later expanded to include theoretical physics and radio physics. He was the head of the Sarabhai family-owned business conglomerate.
Vikram Sarabhai had a range of interests - from science to sports to statistics. His vision and commitment led to the establishment of many institutes and organizations. He founded the Operations Research Group (ORG), the first market research organization in the country. Along with his wife, Mrinalini Sarabhai, he co-founded the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. Other projects and institutions initiated or set up by Sarabhai include the Fast Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) in Kalpakkam, Variable Energy Cyclotron Project in Calcutta, Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) in Hyderabad and Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL) in Jaduguda, Jharkhand.
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was a renowned physicist and a philanthropist who, apart from being a physicist, had great interest in industry and business. In 1947, he founded the Ahmadabad Textile Industry’s Research Association, and his interest in professional management education in India led to the formation of Indian Institute of Management in Ahmadabad in 1962. He also had a significant involvement in the establishment of the Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962, which is today known as Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). Furthermore, Sarabhai was instrumental in setting up the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station, which was one of the most path-breaking initiatives of its time.
The Impact of Vikram Sarabhai on DRDO :
In 1966, following the death of physicist Homi Bhabha, Sarabhai was appointed chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. He took up the mantle of furthering Bhabha's research in nuclear science and was a major driving force in the establishment and development of India's nuclear power plants and the building of a nuclear defence system.
In 1966, Sarabhai entered a dialogue with NASA which resulted in the 1975 launch of the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE). The project delivered informational television programs to rural India, aiming to educate the financially backward and academically illiterate population and to equip India with technical experience in the field of satellite communications.
Death :
On 30 December 1971, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the father of India's space programme, was to review the SLV design before his departure for Bombay the same night. Just an hour before his departure, he had a conversation over the telephone with A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, the lead aeronautical engineer, who was later declared the 11th President of India. Little did the two know that Vikram Sarabhai would pass away that night due to a sudden cardiac arrest in Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram). His body was taken back to Ahmedabad, where he was cremated, leaving behind a legacy that inspired generations of Indians to explore the stars.
Vikram Sarabhai's legacy :
The legacy of Vikram Sarabhai is still alive today, and is reflected in India's space and nuclear programmes, which focus on home-grown development just as he imagined.
His pioneering work in space exploration and the development of nuclear power in India were hugely significant. He was instrumental in persuading the government to begin space research programs. By 1962, he had convinced the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) to be formed and was its first chairman. In 1969, it was renamed the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). He was also an adviser in this new set-up.
At the age of just 28, Vikram Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on 11th November 1947. He also chaired the Atomic Energy Commission and was a key figure in the establishment of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
An Impressive Track Record :
- President of the Physics section, Indian Science Congress (1962)
- President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Vienna (1970)
- Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India (1966–1971)
- Vice-president, Fourth UN Conference on 'Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy' (1971)
- Founder and Chairman (1963–1971), Space Applications Centre
Awards :
- Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962)
- Padma Bhushan (1966)
- Padma Vibhushan, posthumous (1972)
Conclusion:
Vikram Sarabhai has inspired each of us in India. He was an extraordinary scientist and a remarkable human being. His accomplishments in space science and technology have made India proud on the worldwide stage. We ought to all attempt to be like him and make our nation glad. Guardians, on the off chance that you need your kids to be propelled, tell them concerning the life of Vikram Sarabhai and how he has changed India for the better. We as a whole thank him for his unequaled commitments toward autonomous India!