Vikram Sarabhai’s 50th Death Anniversary: Born on 12 August 1919, Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was an Indian physicist and astronomer who initiated space research and helped develop nuclear power in India.
He was honored with Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972. He is internationally regarded as the Father of the Indian Space Program.
Vikram Sarabhai was instrumental in many issues related to business innovation and development. Not only in the field of science, but Sarabhai also played a pivotal role in establishing India’s future in astronomy. He was also instrumental in laying the foundation for many space research facilities in the country.
Lesser-known facts about the award-winning physicist:
- Sarabhai came from an affluent family in Gujarat, who was responsible for social work for the underprivileged.
- His family members could not be a part of his wedding as they were involved in the Quit India Movement. He was married to a famous classical dancer, Mrinalini.
- Aryabhatta’s first satellite credits Sarabhai for its creation.
- At the age of 28, Vikram Sarabhai convinced the Government of India, to set up Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
- Homi Jehangir Bhabha helped him in establishing India’s first-ever rocket launching station.
- He laid the foundation of a number of institutes in the nation to ensure society’s overall development, including Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad, in 1961, which became the second IIM to be set up in the country.
- He became the vice president of the fourth UN peace conference, which was held in 1971.
Dr. Sarabhai has two of India’s highest awards honored to his name – Padma Bhushan (1966) and Padma Vibhushan in 1972 (post his demise).
Vikram Sarabhai Legacy:
- The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC), which is the Indian Space Research Organization’s lead facility for launch vehicle development located in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), capital of Kerala state, is named in his memory.
- Indian Postal Department released a commemorative Postal Stamp On his first death anniversary (30 December 1972).
- Dr Sarabhai started a project that would lead to the building of India’s first artificial satellite orbiting Earth. Launched in July 1976, Aryabhata became the first Indian satellite launched four years after the death of Dr Sarabhai on the Kapustin Yar a Russian rocket.
Vikram Sarabhai Awards:
- In the year 1966, Vikram Sarabhai was honored with Padma Bhushan- India’s third-highest civilian award.
- In the year 1972, he was honored posthumously with Padma Vibhushan– India’s second-highest civilian award.
Death:
On 30 December 1971, Sarabhai was to review the SLV design before his departure for Bombay the same night. He had spoken to the then President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on the telephone. However, within an hour of the conversation, Sarabhai died at the age of 52 due to cardiac arrest in Trivandrum (now Thiruvananthapuram). His body was cremated in Ahmedabad.
Let’s recall the Father of Indian Space Programme with some quotes-
- We look down on our scientists if they engage in outside consultation. We implicitly promote the ivory tower.
- He who can listen to the music in the midst of noise can achieve great things.
- I also believe that a person who does not have respect for time, and does not have a sense of timing, can achieve little.
- One wants permissive individuals who do not have a compelling need to reassure themselves that they are leaders.
- Basic social and economic change needs to brought about gradually and the more carefully and thoughtfully it is effected, the more permanent it will be.
- The cooperative structure never encourages huge bureaucratic systems, for it knows that mammoth bureaucracies cannot be sensitive to the needs of people.
- There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society.
