By Rajni Pandey | August 12, 2024
Sarabhai earned a Ph.D. in cosmic ray physics from Cambridge and had interests spanning industrial management and educational research.
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Before ISRO, Sarabhai significantly contributed to India’s atomic energy programme alongside Dr. Homi Bhabha.
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He founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) and played a crucial role in establishing IIM Ahmedabad.
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Sarabhai initiated the Satellite Instructional Television Experiment (SITE) to broadcast educational programmes to rural India.
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Sarabhai’s work led to international partnerships, helping India secure global collaborations in space technology.
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Despite global ties, Sarabhai was dedicated to using space technology to address India’s challenges like poverty and education.
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Sarabhai supported women’s participation in science and culture, inspired by his wife, classical dancer Mrinalini Sarabhai.
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He supported agricultural innovations that boosted food production during India’s Green Revolution in the 1960s and 1970s.
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Beyond science, Sarabhai was deeply involved in promoting Indian arts and culture, supporting institutions like Darpana Academy.
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Under his leadership, India’s first rocket launch took place in 1963 from Thumba, Kerala, marking the start of the nation’s space journey.
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