Vikram A. Sarabhai - Father of India's Space Programme

Vikram A. Sarabhai is called as the Father of the Space Programme of India. He was the key person that was behind the launching of India's first satellite, Aryabhata in 1975. He was born in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, in a family of industrialists. He established the Equatorial Rocket Building Station at Thumba. It founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) that was formally established at the M.G. Science Institute, Ahmedabad, on November 1947. PRL is actively involved in scientific research, planetary science and exploration programme.

Sarabhai initiated to develop interest for science and mathematics education in students, teachers and the general public. He laid the foundation of the Ahmedabad Textile Industries Research Association, which is a laboratory for Physics research. He also established the Indian Institute of Management. Under the guidance of the renowned scientist Dr. C.V. Raman, Sarabhai's study of cosmic rays proved that cosmic rays are a stream of energy particles. The rays reach the earth from the outer space, after being influenced by the sun, the atmosphere and magnetism on their way.

It helped in observing terrestrial magnetism and the atmosphere, the nature of the sun and outer space. Sarabhai was awarded with 'Padma Shri' in 1966. Posthumously in 1972 he was awarded with the prestigious 'Padma Vibushan'. Not only that, but he was also given 'Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar award' in 1962. He is the person who deserves the credit to launch India into space age and compete with other developed countries in this field.

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By- Anita Aishvarya