Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (12 August 1919 – 30 December 1971) was an Indian physicist and astronomer. He played a key role in starting space research and helped develop nuclear power in India. Because of his important work, many people call him the "Father of Indian space program."

Sarabhai received many honors for his achievements. In 1966, he was given the Padma Bhushan, one of India's highest awards. After he passed away, he was later awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972. His contributions helped India grow in science and technology and inspired many people around the world.

Early life and education

Vikram Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad, India. He came from a Gujarati Śvetāmbara Shrimali Jain family. His father, Ambalal Sarabhai, was a well-known businessman who supported the Indian independence movement.

Professional life

Vikram Sarabhai started the Physical Research Laboratory in 1947, which became important for space science in India. It began in his home and later moved to Ahmedabad. The lab studied cosmic rays and the upper atmosphere, and later expanded to other areas of science.

Sarabhai helped create many important institutions, such as the Nehru Foundation for Development, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, and the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts. He also worked on projects like the first Indian satellite, Aryabhata, which was launched in 1975. He was a leader in many fields, from science to business and the arts.

Death

On 30 December 1971, Sarabhai planned to review a design before leaving for Mumbai. After talking on the phone with A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, he experienced a sudden health issue and passed away at the age of 52 in Trivandrum. He was honored in Ahmedabad.

Personal life

Vikram Sarabhai married the classical dancer Mrinalini on 3 September 1942. They had two children. His daughter Mallika became known as an actress and activist, and his son Kartikeya worked in science. Sarabhai studied at Gujarat College in Ahmedabad, then went to the University of Cambridge in England. He completed a science degree there in 1940 and later returned to finish his PhD in 1947 with a thesis about cosmic rays.

Distinguished positions

Vikram Sarabhai held many important jobs. He was President of the Physics section at the Indian Science Congress in 1962 and President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A. in Vienna in 1970. He served as Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India from 1966 to 1971 and was Vice-president at the Fourth UN Conference on 'Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy' in 1971. He was also the founder and Chairman of the Space Applications Centre from 1963 to 1971.

Legacy

The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre in Thiruvananthapuram, Trivandrum, is named to honor him. He also helped create the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad. In 1972, India released a special stamp to remember him. In 1973, a crater on the Moon was named after him. India's moon lander on the Chandrayaan-2 mission was also named Vikram in his honor.

A science center in Ahmedabad and a space museum in Hyderabad are dedicated to him. A special award for space journalism was created in his name for his 100th birthday in 2019.

In popular culture

On August 12, 2019, Google celebrated Sarabhai’s 100th birthday with a special drawing on its homepage. In September 2020, ACK Media and ISRO published a book called Vikram Sarabhai: Pioneering India's Space Programme on the Amar Chitra Katha digital platform and in ACK Comics.

In 2022, a web-series named Rocket Boys told a dramatized story about Sarabhai and Homi J. Bhabha. Later that year, the film Rocketry: The Nambi Effect, which is about Nambi Narayanan's life, included Sarabhai, played by Rajit Kapur in the Hindi version and Ravi Raghavendra in the Tamil version.