Essays

How would you describe a man who moved from the portals of an affluent business family to being the Father of Indian Space programme? If one thinks intently, probably, the word 'genius' would suit him. It is to this genre that Vikram Sarabhai belongs to.

Born at Ahmedabad on August 12, 1919 in a family which was throughly steeped into freedom struggle, he had his early education in a private school, 'Retreat'. This was a school run by his parents on Montessori lines. It was this atmosphere combined with the visits of legendary leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore and Jawahar Lal Nehru; that injected into the young boy the seeds of scientific curiosity, ingenuity and creativity. As far as academics go, Sarabhai was a bright student, actively participating in diverse activities. He matriculated from the Gujarat College in Ahmedabad and moved to England to pursue further studies. A notable achievement during this period was that he became the recepient of Tripos in Natural Science from Cambridge in 1940. This was a no humble feat.

During this time, the call of his motherland echoed in his ears and he returned back to India with the escalation of the Second World War. He joined the Indian Institute of Science (ISC), Bangalore and began research in cosmic rays under the guidance of Sir CV Raman, a Nobel Prize winner. He returned to Cambridge after the war and was awarded a PhD in 1947 for his thesis titled 'Cosmic Ray Investigation in 'Tropical latitudes'.

Academics apart, this erudite man exchanged marital vows with Mrinalini Sarabhai, a celebrated classical dancer of India, in 1942. They were blessed with two children. The renowned dancer, Mallika Sarabhai is the gifted child of this couple. A visionary and an educationist to the core, Sarabhai persuaded charitable trusts controlled by his family and friends to endow a research institution in Ahmedabad. This happened at the time when he had returned to India. The Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad was his brainchild. A competent scholar who wanted scientific thoughts and advanced technologies to reach the grass roots of the country, this institution was merely a first step in this direction.  Sarabhai's pursuit of extending the benefit of science to common man did not end there.

The establishment of the Indian Spare Research Organization (ISRO) was one of his greatest achievements. He successfully convinced the government about the significance of a space programme for a developing country like India after the launch Russian Sputnik. He clearly stated that India had no fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations "...We must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to solve the real problems of man and society." This line sums up his dream towards building up a resurgent India, awoken to the needs and aspirations of its people.

Always on the look out for opportunities, Sarabhai took up another challenge of setting up the first rocket launching station in India. With the active encouragement and guidance of Dr Homi Bhabha, he set up the first rocket launching station in India. This centre, TERLS, was set up at Thurnba near Thiruvanthapuram. The first rocket with sodium vapour payload was launched on November 21, 1963.

After this, he concentrated on the space programme during 1961-66. He expanded Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) and made it the headquarters for space activities. His efforts were recognized when the UN General Assembly gave recognition to TERLS as an international facility in 1965.

Another feather in the cap was added when the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) was initiated during July 1975 - July 1976. This was the result of intense negotiations between Sarabhai and NASA.

Till now the groundwork had been done for an Indian satellite to be put into orbit. His dreams took wings when Aryabhata I was put in orbit in 1975 from a Russian Cosmodrome.

A humanist and an educationist, his interests varied from science to sports to statistics. He set up Operations Research Group (ORG), the first market research organization in the country. He was also the force behind many institutes of international repute. The most notable among them are the IIMs (Indian Institute of Management). Dr. Vikram Sarabhai set up ATIRA (Ahmedabad Textiles Industrial Research Association) which helped the blooming textile business in the city. He also established CEPT (Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology.)

A philanthropist, he went ahead and formed the BMA (Blind Men's Association) which helps visually challenged people with necessary skills and support.

A rare amalgamation of exceptional qualities, Sarabhai passed away in his sleep on December 31, 1971.