VIKRAM AMBALAL SARABHAI
VIKRAM AMBALAL SARABHAI
BORN 12 AUG 1919
Ahemedabad,Bombay presidency,British India.
Died 30 December 1971 Halcyon castle,kovalam in thiruvananthapuram,kerala, india
Residence India Nationality Indian Fields physics Institutions Indian space
research organization physical research laboratory
Almamater Gujarath college, university of cambridge
Doctoral Advisor Sir C.V. Raman Known For Indian space
programme Indian institute of management Ahmedabad
Notable Awards : Padma Bhushan (1966) , PadmaVibhushan
Spouse : Mrinalini SarabhaiChildren Mallika sarabhai,
Karthikeya Sarabhai• Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (12 August 1919 – 30 December 1971 was an Indian scientist and innovator widely regarded as the father of India's space
programme.Sarabhai received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Medal in 1962. The nation honoured him awarding Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma Vibhushan
Personal life Sarabhai married the classical dancer Mrinalini in 1942. The couple had two
children. His daughter Mallika gained prominence as an actress and activist, and his son Kartikeya Sarabhai too became an active person in science.[7]
Physical Research Laboratory Known as the cradle of space sciences in India, the Physical Research
Laboratory (PRL) was founded on 11 November 1947 by Vikram Sarabhai. PRL had a modest beginning at his residence, the RETREAT, with research on cosmic rays.
Today PRL is actively involved in research, related to five major fields of science. PRL is also instrumental in the PLANEX planetary science and exploration programme.
Looking at the needs of the country, he persuaded charitable trusts controlled by his family and friends to endow a research institution near his home in Ahmedabad. This led to the creation of the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947.
Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre Vikram A. Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC)
established in the 1960s by the eminent space scientist, Vikram A. Sarabhai is working towards popularizing science and mathematics education among students, teachers and the laypublic. Its mandate is to stimulate interest, encourage and expose the principles of science and scientific method and also to improve and find innovative methods of science education.
Indian Space Research Organization Sarabhai was convinced and envisioned that the resources in space
have the potential to address the real problems of man and society. As Director, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) located in Ahmedabad, Sarabhai convened an army of able and brilliant scientists, anthropologists, communicators and social scientists from all corners of the country to spearhead the Indian space programme
Darpan Academy for Performing Arts, Ahmedabad Darpana was established as a dance academy
by Mrinalini and Vikram Sarabhai in 1949. For nearly two decades it taught classical dance. With Mrinalini as the lead dancer, and ChatunniPanicker as her partner, the Darpana dance company toured across the world. A few years later the great Kuchipudi guru, c R Acharyelu joined the faculty.
Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad
The decade following independence in 1947 was witness to a surge of innovative ideas to build a fledgling independent nation into a model
democratic state committed to growth with equity in the development of its people. The establishment of Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
(IIMA) was the outcome of one such innovative initiative.Led by Vikram Sarabhai, Shri. Kasturbhai Lalbhai and proactively
supported by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Jivraj Mehta, a group of enlightened individuals set up IIMA. This group ably wove together a
coalition of five actors - the governments at the centre and the state, the local industrialists, the Ford Foundation and the Harvard Business School,
in a true spirit of public private partnership to establish the Institute. [13]
Later lifeSarabhai was visiting Thiruvananthapuram to review the SLV (satellite
launch vehicle) design, attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the Thumba railway station being built to service the newly created
Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station.He emphasized the importance of a space programme:
"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."
Distinguished PositionsPresident of the Physics section, Indian Science Congress (1962)
President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Viennaa (1970)Vice-President, Fourth U.N. Conference on 'Peaceful uses of Atomic
Energy' (1971)
LegacyThe 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.Along with other Ahmedabad-based industrialists, he played a major role in
setting up of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.In 1973, the International Astronomical Union decided that a lunar crater, Bessel A, in the Sea of Serenity will be known as the Sarabhai crater.[16][17]
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