Vikram Sarabhai Biography 
Vikram Sarabhai was an Indian physicist better known as "Father of Indian space program”. The establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) was one of his greatest achievements. He has been honoured with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan (posthumous) by Indian government. He has also received Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1962). Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, (VSSC), Indian Space Research Organization's lead facility for launch vehicle development located in Thumpa, Thiruvananthapuram has been named in his memory.
Dr.Vikram Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He was born in a rich business family. His father Ambalal Sarabhai was an industrialist who owned many textile mills in Gujarat. After completing matriculation in Gujarat, Vikram flew aboard for future studies. He joined the St. John's College, University of Cambridge and achieved Tripos in Natural Sciences from Cambridge in 1940. He returned back to India and his marriage with famous classical dancer, Mrinalini Sarabhai happened during Quit India Movement in 1942. As the marriage was conducted at Chennai, Vikram’s family couldn’t attend the function due to Quit India Movement. But it resulted in a troubled married life and he had a relationship with Dr.Kamala Choudhary. His daughter Mallika Sarabhai is a celebrated classical dancer, who received Padma Bhushan in 2010 and son Kartikeya Sarabhai has received Padma Shri for Environmental Education.
Sarabhai returned to an independent India in 1947. With the help of friends and charitable trusts, he founded a research institution near home in Ahmedabad, Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) on November 11, 1947. Establishment of ISRO is regarded as his best contribution to Indian Space researches. After the Russian Sputnik launch he was able to convince the government about the importance of space programs for India and quite succeeded too. Homi Jehangir Bhabha also supported him to set up the first rocket launching station in India. This center was established at Thumba of Kerala near Arabian Sea.
Sarabhai has also established many institutes which are of international repute. Nehru Foundation for Development in Ahmedabad and Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad are among those. Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR) in Kalpakkam, Center for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) and Variable Energy Cyclotron Project in Calcutta also need special mention.
Published: N/A
Updated: October 02, 2017
