Google marks ISRO founder Vikram Sarabhai's birth centenary with doodle
Remembered as the Father of the Indian space program, Sarabhai was instrumental in setting up several institutions in the country.
By ET Online | Updated:
Google marks 100th birth anniversary of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, father of ISRO, with doodle
Google, on Monday, paid tribute to Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai on his 100th birth anniversary with a doodle.
Born in Ahmedabad in 1919, Vikram Sarabhai believed in using science and technology as "levers of development." The physicist, industrialist, and innovator is remembered as the Father of the Indian space program.
Sarabhai studied at Gujarat College, and later attended Cambridge University where he earned his doctorate.
On returning to India, the then 28-year-old Sarabhai founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on November 11, 1947, after having convinced charitable trusts controlled by family and friends to endow a research institution near home.
Following the launch of Russia's Sputnik, Sarabhai convinced the government that the India needed to have its own space program. He went on to set up the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR) in 1962, which was later renamed the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Vikram Sarabhai and wife Mrinalinli on their wedding day in 1942.
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Sarabhai also helped establish the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station in Thiruvananthapuram. He was supported in this endevaour by the father of India's nuclear science program, Dr. Homi Jehangir Bhabha.
Sarabhai also succeeded Bhabha as the chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India.
While he had a deep interest in scientific research and technological advancements, he was also involved in the development of industry and business. Among the several institutions set up by him, were the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association in 1947 and the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad in 1962.
The scientist and innovator also worked on India's first satellite, Aryabhata, but passed away due to a cardiac arrest four years before its launch in 1975.
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His 100th birth anniversary comes just weeks after ISRO launched its Chandrayaan-2 mission to the Moon. The Vikram lander, named so as tribute to the scientist, is scheduled to land on the lunar surface on September 7.
<p> India’s Moon mission Chandrayaan-2 lifts off onboard GSLV Mk III-M1 launch vehicle from Satish Dhawan Space Center at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh, on July 22, 2019. <br></p> Sarabhai was awarded the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize in 1962, and received the Padma Bhushan in 1966. He was also conferred the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 1972, and a year on, a crater on the moon was named after him.
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Sarabhai, who was married to classical dancer Mrinalini, a Padma Bhushan recipient, is survived by environmentalist son Kartikeya and daughter Mallika, a classical dancer and also a Padma Bushan awardee.
The doodle has been illustrated by Mumbai-based artist Pavan Rajurkar.
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The Chandrayaan-2 launch is expected to take place today. Its postponement last week is reminiscent of other times when reaching the final frontier was delayed.
In Pic: A view of the Chandrayaan-2 on board GSLVMkIII-M1 at Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Nellore district.
The Chandrayaan-2 launch is expected to take place today. Its postponement last week is reminiscent of other times when reaching the final frontier was delayed.
In Pic: A view of the Chandraya..
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(Image: www.nasa.gov)
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(Image: www.spacex.com)
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(Image: www.isro.gov.in)
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(Image: global.jaxa.jp)
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(Image: www.nasa.gov)
* Text: Aarti Bhanushali
Russia’s Progress 69The launch of a Russian cargo ship bound for the International Space Station was aborted in the final few seconds on February 11, 2018. The supply ship was seconds away from launc..
