On August 12, 2019, The founder of ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) and Father of the Indian Space Program, Vikram Sarabhai’s 100th birth anniversary observed across the country. Key points:
i. He was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He established Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad on 11 November 1947 & Indian National Committee for Space Research in 1962, which was later renamed the ISRO.
ii. He also founded the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad, Center for Environmental Planning and Technology(CEPT), and the Nehru Foundation for Development (NFD) in Ahmedabad. He also served as chairman of India’s Atomic Energy Commission. He died on 30 December 1971, Halcyon Castle, Thiruvananthapuram.
iii. ISRO launched the Chandrayaan-2 mission having lander called Vikram to honour the late Dr. Vikram Sarabhai that is scheduled to touch down on the lunar surface on September 7, 2019.
Awards/Honours Received
- In 1966, he received the Padma Bhushan.
- In 1972, was conferred the Padma Vibhushan posthumously.
- In 1973, a crater on the moon was named after him i.e. “Sarabhai”. It is located on the Mare Serenitatis, in the northeast quadrant of the Moon.
- For 2019, Dr. Sarabhai’s doodle was created by Mumbai-based artist Pavan Rajurkar.
ISRO launches programmes to commemorate birth centenary of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
On August 12, 2019, To commemorate the birth centenary of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, ISRO has launched year-long programs and functions (include science and space exhibitions, competitions for school children, journalism awards and speeches by eminent personalities), that will end on 12th August 2020. The inaugural function for the same has been organized at Gujarat University Convention Hall in Ahmedabad, Gujarat while valedictory function for the year-long program was held at Thiruvananthapuram.
i. The unique “Space on Wheels” exhibition inside the bus also inaugurated on this auspicious occasion along with the unveiling of a commemorative coin. ISRO has also released a Coffee Table Book and a photo album of on life and work of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai.