Vikram Sarabhai: The Visionary Who Launched India’s Space Dreams

On 12 August, India paid tribute to Dr Vikram Sarabhai, the pioneering physicist celebrated as the Father of the Indian Space Programme, on what would have been his 106th birth anniversary. Born in Ahmedabad in 1919, Sarabhai laid the foundation for what would become one of the world’s most ambitious and rapidly growing space agencies—the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

A Legacy Written in the Stars

Educated at Cambridge, where he earned a degree in physics and mathematics, Sarabhai’s early interest in cosmic ray research marked the beginning of a scientific journey that would eventually transform India's role in global space exploration. He established the Physical Research Laboratory in Ahmedabad in 1947, laying the groundwork for India’s foray into space science.

But his most defining contribution came with the creation of ISRO in 1969. At a time when India was still grappling with economic challenges, Sarabhai envisioned a space programme not for prestige, but for practical development—focusing on communication, education, and remote sensing to improve the lives of millions.

Tributes Pour in from Leaders and Scientists

Marking the occasion, Om Birla, Speaker of the 18th Lok Sabha, took to social media to honour Sarabhai, stating, “Respectful salutations on the birth anniversary of Dr. Vikram Sarabhai… With the establishment of the Physical Research Laboratory, he made the country self-reliant in space technology.”

Former ISRO Chairman Dr S Somanath also paid homage, calling Sarabhai “a true nation builder” and recalling how his legacy has continued to shape the mission of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre for decades.

Though Sarabhai passed away in 1971, his visionary zeal continues to drive India’s space missions—from Chandrayaan to Gaganyaan—ensuring that his dream of using space for societal benefit lives on.