Vikram Sarabhai was born in Ahmedabad to Ambalal Sarabhai and Sarla Devi. His father was a major industrialist.
Vikram Sarabhai Story
Sarabhai started studying at Gujarat College but later moved to the University of Cambridge, England. He was forced to return mid-course because of World War 2. In India, he undertook research in cosmic rays under physicist C.V. Raman at IISc, Bangalore.
He persuaded the charitable trusts run by his family and many of his friends to open a research center in India. That’s how the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad was born.
He was a science man with an active interest in business, and development issues. In 1962, Sarabhai also played an instrumental role in setting up the Indian Institute of Management in Ahmedabad.
The same year, he established the Indian National Committee for Space Research later renamed to Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
After the death of Homi Bhabha in 1966, Sarabhai was appointed chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India where he carried forward Bhabha’s work. At that time, he was largely responsible for the establishment and development of India’s nuclear power plants and technology.
Who is the father of ISRO?
Vikram Sarabhai is known as the father of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
What was Vikram Sarabhai famous for?
Sarabhai was an Indian Physicist and Astronomer who initiated India’s Space Research Program and helped develop nuclear power in India.
Vikram Sarabhai Date of Birth
He was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad.
Vikram Sarabhai Wife
In 1942, Vikram Sarabhai married Mrinalini who is a renowned classical dancer. She passed away in 2016 at the age of 97.
Vikram Sarabhai Children
Sarabhai has 2 children: Mallika Sarabhai and Kartikeya Sarabhai.
Mallika is a choreographer, a classical dancer, and an actor. Kartikeya is a leading environmental educator.
| See also: T V Somanathan Biography |
Vikram Sarabhai Death
Vikram Sarabhai passed away on December 30, 1971 (at the age of 52 years) at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
Vikram Sarabhai Cause of Death
He died unexpectedly of a heart attack.
Vikram Sarabhai Biography
| Full Name | Dr. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai |
| Father Name | Ambalal Sarabhai |
| Mother Name | Sarla Devi |
| Birth Date | 12 August 1919 |
| Death Date | 30 December 1971 |
Vikram Sarabhai Education
Vikram attended the Gujarati college in Ahmedabad but later he took admission to the University of Cambridge in England.
Post World War 2 he returned to Cambridge post to pursue his doctorate and wrote a thesis on “Cosmic Ray Investigation in Tropical Latitudes”.
Vikram Sarabhai Awards
Padma Bhushan in 1966
Padma Vibhushan in 1972
Honours Received by Vikram Sarabhai
- The International Astronomical Union in Sydney named a Moon Crater BESSEL in the Sea of Serenity, as the “Sarabhai Crater”.
- ISRO named the lander of Chandrayaan 2 and Chandrayaan 3, ‘Vikram’ in his honor.
Institutions established by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
- Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad
- Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad
- Community Science Centre, Ahmedabad
- Darpan Academy for Performing Arts, Ahmedabad
- Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram
- Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad
- Faster Breeder Test Reactor (FBTR), Kalpakkam
- Variable Energy Cyclotron Project, Calcutta
- Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL), Hyderabad
- Uranium Corporation of India Limited (UCIL), Jaduguda, Bihar