Vikram Sarabhai the Man behind Every Space Program

Vikram Sarabhai, a Gujarati, born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmadabad, was an Indian scientist and also considered as the father of Indian space program. Comes from a very famous “SARABHAI” Industrialist family had always inclination towards science.

In his lifetime he started various organizations in India which are now considered as top education institutes of India. Some of the names are Indian Institute of Management in Ahmadabad in 1962, Physical Research Laboratory Ahmadabad in 1947 and very famous Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962 which later named Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Earlier in his life, he took admission in Gujarat College Ahmadabad but later he shifted to University of Cambridge England and completed his graduation in 1940 from there. World War 2nd forced him to return to India. He started research on Cosmic Rays under the guidance of C V Raman at Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore (Bengaluru).

In 1945 he returned to Cambridge and get through his doctorate from there. His family was very much involved in the freedom movement and 1947 after getting independence Vikram Sarabhai along with his friends and family contribution started Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmadabad.

Dr Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai in 1942 married famous dancer Mirinalini ( Mrinalini Sarabhai). And the couple had two offsprings. He not only started the space program but was also involved in various business activities.

Sarabhai dedicated all his life to science and space and played a vital role in educating remote village people through satellite communication. He was awarded two highest civilian awards Padma Bhushan (1966) and the Padma Vibhushan (awarded posthumously in 1972).