Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai — Father of the Indian Space Program

KrishNick
2 min readOct 22, 2020

Famous Indian Space Researcher, Astronomer, and Physicist Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai is a gem in Indian History.

His uplevel skills, intellectuals, and farsightedness have made India literally land on space. He carved the pace for space in India. That is why he is known to be the Father of the Indian Space Program.

Contribution to the Science

In 1965, he laid the foundation for social and developmental causes in society, Nehru Foundation for Development (NFD). He also built the Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Center (VASCSC) for stimulating interests in the public at large in Science and Maths.

Dr. Homi Bhabha, who was a renowned scientist, helped Vikram Sarabhai in laying the foundation of the 1st ever Rocket station in Thumba situated on the coast of the Arabian sea. He is the founder of the most advanced space research institute, ISRO, which is now the biggest govt space research agency worldwide. The first Indian satellite, Aryabhatta, was launched under the guidance of Vikram Sarabhai.

Achievements and Honors

Vikram Sarabhai’s contribution to Science and research in India has been unmatchable. He had a visionary approach and could see science taking advancements in the near future. He indeed launched India in the so-called Space Age.

Vikram Sarabhai was awarded India’s most esteemed and honorary awards:

  • Padma Bhushan in 1966 and
  • Padma Vibhushan in 1972 (posthumously)

Honors received by the Father of the Indian Space Program:

  • He was also awarded Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Medal in the year 1962.
  • The First death Anniversary of Sarabhai had his Commemorative Postal Stamp issued by the Indian Postal Department.
  • The Lander of Chandrayaan II was named Vikram in his honor.

Lesser-Known Facts about Vikram Sarabhai

  • IIM Ahmedabad was established because of his efforts. It is also said the management institute was founded out of love to keep Kamla Chowdhary (his love interest) in Ahmedabad near him.
  • Vikram Sarabhai and his wife opened a Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, which is now lead by their daughter, Mallika Sarabhai, in Ahmedabad.
  • Vikram and Kamla’s love story was for around 20 years till Vikram Sarbhai breathed his last.
  • You can say his only hobby was SCIENCE. He served all his life for research in the field.

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KrishNick
KrishNick

Written by KrishNick

🌿 #NatureLover 🏆 #SportsPerson 👨 #Instructor

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