One of India's most admired scientists, Vikram Sarabhai passed away on December 30, 1971. Sarabhai was instrumental in forming India's future in astronomy and setting up the country's space research facilities.
On his 44th death anniversary, we bring to you 10 interesting facts about Vikram Sarabhai:
1. Vikram Sarabhai was considered the Father of Indian space programme. After Russia launched the Sputnik satellite, Sarabhai started convincing the Indian government that the country should concentrate on space research.
2. After continuous persuasion, the Indian government agreed to set up the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962. Sarabhai was the first chairman of the committee.
3. The INCOSPAR was restructured and renamed as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969. Sarabhai took over an advisory role in the ISRO as well.
4. Space research in India started before the Independence. Vikram Sarabhai, along with another noted scientist Homi Jahangir Bhabha, spearheaded Indian space research.
5. Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad in the year 1947. The laboratory started its operation from RETREAT, Sarabhai's residence in Ahmedabad. Its first topic of research was cosmic rays.
6. Vikram Sarabhai also set up India's first rocket launch site in Thumba, a small village near the Thiruvananthapuram airport in Kerala. The newly built rocket launching site was built amidst coconut groves. A local Catholic church, the St. Mary Magadelene's Church served as the main office for the scientists; the bishop's house was converted into a workshop and the cattle shed became the laboratory in which A. P. J. Abdul Kalam worked.
7. Vikram Sarabhai was also responsible for bringing cable television to India. His constant contact with NASA paved a way for the establishment of Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) in 1975.
8. Sarabhai was the mastermind behind building India's first satellite, Aryabhata.
9. He was one of the founding members of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA).
10. Vikram Sarabhai received the Padma Bhushan in 1966 for his contribution to India's progress. He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972, posthumously.
11. On his first death anniversary, the Indian Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp to honour Sarabhai.