The father of the Indian space research program, Vikram Sarabhai has been nothing less than a blessing to young and independent India. Infact, the seed of curiosity and innovation sowed by great visionary Dr Vikram Sarabhai yielded great accomplishments in modern times through Chandrayaan 2.
Driven by this revolutionary vision to send a rocket to space, Sarabhai has become a pioneer in developing the country’s space research program. His interest and his expertise had varied. He worked in the fields of textiles, pharmaceuticals, nuclear power, electronics and many others incessantly till his last breath.
To know and learn about this great scientist is an honor on its own.
Table of Contents
About Vikram Sarabhai
Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was born on August 12, 1919, to a wealthy family in Ahmedabad. His father, Ambalal Sarabhai, was an Indian industrialist and philanthropist who had a huge role in the country’s independence.
He attended the Gujarat College in Ahmedabad, but later shifted to the University of Cambridge, England, where he took his tripos in natural sciences in 1940. Just like the prominent scientist Homi Bhabha, Sarabhai returned to India amidst the threat of World War 2.
Sarabhai had a particular interest in physics and that interest deeply affected the later parts of his life. After his initial research in cosmology, Sarabhai founded the reputed Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in 1947. He also led the Sarabhai family-owned business conglomerate.
He set up the Operations Research Group (ORG), the first market research organization in the country. Throughout his lifetime he played a key part in establishing notable institutes such as the Nehru Foundation for Development in Ahmedabad, the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association (ATIRA) and the (CEPT).
His countless efforts in creating a better future for India made our present possible. Infact, he is the man behind the creation of the Indian Space Research Organization or as we know it ISRO.
Vikram Sarabhai Zodiac Sign- Leo
Sarabhai’s Family and education
Vikram Sarabhai was born to Ambalal Sarabhai and Saraladevi. The couple had eight children– 5 daughters and 3 sons. He attended the Gujarat College, Ahmedabad and then he got admitted to the University of Cambridge, England and cleared tripos in natural sciences. He pursued a doctorate in 1945 and wrote a thesis on ‘Cosmic Ray Investigations in Tropical Latitudes’.
Vikram was married to the classical dancer Mrinalini in 1942. The couple had two children– Mallika (daughter) and Kartikeya (son). Sarabhai was devout and practiced Jainism during his entire lifetime.
Sarabhai’s career trajectory
I. In the year 1962, he served as the President of the Physics section in the Indian Science Congress.
II. In 1970, he held the position of President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Vienna.
III. During 1966-1971, after the tragic death of Homi Bhabha Vikram Sarabhai served as the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. He also served as the vice-President in the Fourth UN Conference on ‘Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy.
IV. From 1963 to 1971, he was the founder and chairman of Space Applications Centre
Sarabhai’s Legacy
Image Source :https://www.flickr.com/photos/nat507/32654750235
After his imminent demise, Vikram was immortalized and paid a huge tribute. The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) is named after him. The Vikram Sarabhai space center is considered India’s leading Space Research Organization for vehicle development in Kerala. Vikram was also instrumental in setting up the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad.
Even after decades of his demise, Vikram Sarabhai is remembered and celebrated with great fervor. On September 20, 2019, Chandrayaan-2, the lander on India’s moon mission was named after him. The man once termed as the Cradle of Space Sciences’ in India is forever immortalized in the minds of people.
Awards & Accolades
Throughout his career, Sarabhai had been credited with several titles and was the recipient of many awards. In the year 1966, Vikram Sarabhai was honored with Padma Bhushan– India’s third-highest civilian award. Along with it, in the year 1972, he was honored posthumously with Padma Vibhushan– India’s second-highest civilian award.
Sarabhai’s Death
Vikram Sarabhai died on December 30, 1971, at the age of 52 years in Trivandrum, Kerala, India due to a cardiac arrest.
Lessons From Sarabhai
Sarabhai was a man of deep cultural interests. The greater than life personality had varied interests and expertise. He was deeply patient and gave everyone his time. His teachings are something that we should all inculcate in our lives.
Remembering the legacy of the great scientist eminent Astro strategist Hirav Shah brings you 3 lessons to learn from Vikram Sarabhai:
1- Believe in people around you
Sarabhai was a great judge of character. He could gauge the capability of a person just by talking to him for a few minutes. He believed that when you believe in the people around you, you give them the gift to believe in themselves. He had a pleasant personality and always saw the good in people.
2- Always value time
Sarabhai was a great visionary who respected time. He had once said, “I also believe that a person who does not have respect for time, and does not have a sense of timing, can achieve little.” He believed that keeping up with time in the changing world can lead one to success.
3- Prioritize your team
It would be a lie to say that every invention that he had been credited for was all because of his singular effort. But it’s the collective effort of Sarabhai and his team that bore fruit in the long run.
He had often emphasized strengthening the core team to achieve maximum yield. He had once said, “Share your vision and mission with your core team, let them understand they are part of a larger vision. This handpicked core team will not complain about their discomforts in small benefits and issues, once they feel they are part of a larger vision.”
Conclusion
There were many scientists in the past. And there would be many scientists in the future, but none like the great Vikram Sarabhai. The pioneer of the pharmaceutical industry in India, Sarabhai has been nothing but a miracle to the Indian diasporas. His life, work and achievements ought to be celebrated and glorified- concludes business development expert Hirav Shah.
About Hirav Shah
Hirav Shah is an eminent Business Astrologer and Entrepreneur, who can help you reach new levels of success in the coming year. Shah’s unique practice mixes the fundamentals of Astrology with Business Principles, thereby introducing you to a whole new dimension of affluence.
Hirav Shah has an astounding global presence with clients based across various business sectors. He is a big believer in taking massive action, has formulated strategies and made the right strategic bets based on the certainty of outcome to help some of the world’s most renowned brands.
From business setup and expansion to crisis and exit, he can give you a strong Astro based analysis on where to apply leverage and where to cut losses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Vikram Sarabhai invent?
Why Vikram Sarabhai is famous for?
Who is the founder of ISRO in India?
Who did Vikram Sarabhai guide?
What is Vikram Sarabhai famously known as?
What kind of person was Vikram Sarabhai?
Did Vikram Sarabhai meet Abdul?
Who was Dr Vikram Sarabhai parents?
What was Vikram Sarabhai dream?
How did Vikram Sarabhai died?
featured Image Credit SubhranshuJi, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Inner Image source: wallpapercave.com
