(Daily News Scan - DNS English) Father of Indian Space Programme - Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
Important Points:
The Father of Indian Space programme Dr. Vikram Sarabhai is a well known Indian scientist, physicist and an astronomer. August 12 2019 marked his 100th birth anniversary
In today’s DNS we will know about Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and his contribution in the field of science.
Born in Ahmedabad in the year 1919, he was one of the eight children of his parents. He belonged to a wealthy industrialist family and after completing his basic studies in Gujarat he went to England for further studies. He was a bright student and very interested in science. In the year 1942 he published his first scientific paper Time Distribution of Cosmic Rays. He got his PhD degree from University of Cambridge. After this in the year 1947 he came back to India and joined the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. Here he carried out studies on cosmic rays.
In 1947 India got its independence and in the same year Vikram Sarabhai came back to India. He felt the need for better scientific facilities and established The Physical Research Laboratory in 1947 in Ahmedabad. Later, with the support of Dr. Homi Bhabha the Father of Nuclear Science Programme, Vikram Sarabhai had setup India’s first rocket launching station at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram. The most remarkable contribution by him was Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the year 1960. The intent behind this establishing this organisation was to advance the space technology and use it for nation’s development. Dr. Sarabhai was so inquisitive about science education that he founded a Community Science Centre in Ahmedabad in 1966. Presently the centre is known as the Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre.
Vikram Sarabhai was responsible for the project of India first Artificial Satellite Aryabhatta. His major contribution is towards the establishment of various institutions. He had set up India’s first market research organisation, The Operations Research Group. This aimed to apply modern analytical research to meet the needs of clients. He had also setup IIM Ahmedabad after realising the need for management. After marrying his wife Mrinalini Sarabhai in 1942, he got interested in performing arts and co founded the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts.
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was honored with Padma Bhushan in 1966 for his impeccable work in the field of science. Later in the year 1972 posthumously he was honored with Padma Vibhushan.
ISRO on his birth anniversary in order to pay homage to him has announced an award in his name. The Vikram Sarabhai Journalism award in Space Science Technology and Research will be given to journalists who have contributed in the field of space science and research. Nominations have been opened for all the journalists and articles. The award consists of two categories with cash prize medal and citation. On the special day photo album on the complete life story of Dr. Sarabhai, a coffee table book on ISRO through images and a 100 Rupee coin were released to commemorate the occasion.
In order to give tribute to the Father of Indian Space Programme the Chandrayaan 2’s Lander has been named as Vikram Lander. He passed away at the age of 52 in December 1971. Indian Postal Service had released a postal stamp on his first death anniversary in 1972. To honor him a crater on the moon was named The Sarabhai crater in 1974 by International Astronomical Union in Sydney, Australia. The contributions made by him were extraordinary in field of space science which introduced the path of technology to our country.
