The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is scheduled to launch the imaging satellite GSAT-1 today, August 12. With the launch of this satellite, ISRO is going to create a new history. The satellite will be known as the 'Eye of India.' This satellite of ISRO will be able to monitor the entire country from space. The day of ISRO's satellite is launched is a very special day for India's space programme. In fact, today is the birthday of Vikram Sarabhai, the 'father' of India's space programme. Dr Vikram Sarabhai is considered to be the father of the Indian Space Programme. He played a key role in advancing India's space programme and space research.

It was because of Vikram Sarabhai that the Physics Research Laboratory could be established in Ahmedabad. He returned to India from Cambridge in 1947 and on November 11, 1947, Vikram Sarabhai established the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad, when he was only 28 years old. Vikram Sarabhai served PRL from 1966-1971. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1966. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1972. Dr Sarabhai was also the Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. He along with other industrialists in Ahmedabad played a key role in the establishment of the Indian Institute of Management (IIM), Ahmedabad. The establishment of ISRO was counted among his great achievements.

After the launch of the Russian space agency Sputnik, he had persuaded the government about the importance of space programmes for a developing country like India. Dr Sarabhai emphasized the importance of space programmes in India. Dr Vikram Sarabhai worked with Nobel laureate Dr CV Raman at the Indian Institute of Science in Bengaluru during world war II. Sarabhai and head of several conferences and international panels on the peaceful use of nuclear equipment. He was a fellow of the Cambridge Philosophical Society and a member of the American Geo Physical Union. In 1962, he was given the charge of ISRO. Given his personal assets, he worked in token salaries of only one rupee for his work.

Sarabhai launched the Indian Satellite and launched the project. It was as a result of his efforts that India was able to launch its first satellite Aryabhatta. It was launched from the Center of Russia in 1975. He was considered the country's missile man and the guru of former President Dr Abdul Kalam. On December 30, 1971, Sarabhai was preparing to travel to Mumbai (then Bombay). He was reviewing the SLV design before leaving. He had called Abdul Kalam at that time. He died of a cardiac attack within an hour of talking to Dr Kalam over the phone. He was just 52 years old at the time.

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