Google Doodle is celebrating Vikram Sarabhai’s 100th birthday — the father of Indian space programme

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Google Doodle is celebrating Vikram Sarabhai’s 100th birthday — the father of Indian space programme
IANS

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  • Google is celebrating the 100th birthday of an Indian scientist Dr Vikram Sarabhai’s with a ‘Doodle.’
  • Sarabhai established the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1962.
  • At a young age of 28, he also established the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad.
  • The Indian scientist was also awarded with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
Google is celebrating the 100th birthday of an Indian scientist Dr Vikram Sarabhai on Monday, with a ‘doodle.’ A Mumbai-based artist Pavan Rajurkar sketched the doodle, where L of Google turns into a rocket.

This year, India which sent Chandrayaan-2 to space, has more reasons to celebrate the birthday of the multitalented innovator and physicist. Sarabhai is called the father of India’s space programme, after he established the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) in 1962.

‘Not a fantasy’

Ever since, many things related to space are named after him. in 1973, India named a cavity on the moon in his honour with the name ‘Vikram’. The lander which will drop Chandrayaan-2 onto the moon on September 7, is also called Vikram.

Sarabhai has chalked the strategy of ISRO early on, too. "There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight,” he had said.
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C.V. Raman’s protege

Sarabhai was born on 12 August 1919 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. He studied from University of Cambridge with a major in science. He later joined the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore and began research in cosmic rays under the guidance of Nobel winner Sir C.V. Raman.

"To us there is no ambiguity of purpose. We are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally and in the comity of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society," news agency IANS reported citing Vikram’s statement.

At the age of 28, he established the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad. He had then set up the first rocket launching station in India. In 1966, he was awarded with Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan, six years later.

He was also Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. Along with other Ahmedabad-based industrialists, he played a major role in the creation of the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad.
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With inputs from IANS

See also:
ISRO’s Chandrayaan 2 launch is inspiring childhood memories of Karva Chauth and power cuts

The truth of ISRO's Mangalyaan which Akshay Kumar's Mission Mangal could miss

Chandrayaan-2 successfully clears its second orbit as it races to the Moon
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