Vikram Sarabhai’s 105th Birth Anniversary:
India celebrated Dr. Vikram Sarabhai’s 105th birth anniversary on 12th August, who pioneered India’s space program and founded key institutions across various fields.
- Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, born in Ahmedabad in 1919, is the father of India’s space program and mentor to A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.
- He established the Physical Research Laboratory at age 28 and conducted pioneering research on cosmic rays.
- Sarabhai’s efforts led to the creation of INCOSPAR in 1962, which later became ISRO, and facilitated the transfer of Viking engine technology from France to India.
- His contact with NASA paved the way for the Satellite Instructional T.V. Experiment (SITE) in 1975, introducing cable TV to India.
- Sarabhai was honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 1966 and the Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 1972.
