The 100th birth day of Vikram Sarabhai falls on August 12, 2019. To commemorate this important event, ISRO and DAE propose to conduct various programmes at national level during the centenary year. The inaugural function of this year long programme was held on August 12, 2019 at Gujarat University Convention Centre, Ahmadabad.

Around 2000 people attended the function including those from the Department of Space, Department of Atomic Energy, Vikram Sarabhai associated institutes, family members, 62 Industries, Academia as well as 660 students from 26 schools and 14 colleges in and around Ahmedabad.

During the event, Dr. Sivan, Chairman, ISRO/ Secretary, DOS delivered the welcome address and narrated the importance of this function. He recalled the inspiration left behind by Dr. Sarabhai for inculcating scientific temperament among the student community.

Dr. BN Suresh, Hon. Distinguished Professor, ISRO and Chairman, Sarabhai centenary programme organising committee, explained different events planned during the complete year across the nation like lectures, exhibitions, competitions, talk shows, collaborative programmes and on covering rural areas with six mobile exhibition units.

Shri Pramode Kale, who was one of the close associates of Dr. Sarabhai, recalled his association and journey from 1962.

Dr. Kasturirangan, former Chairman, ISRO, recalled his association with Dr. Sarabhai since the days of joining PRL as research scholar and successes he shared with Dr. Sarabhai. He specially mentioned that Dr. Sarabhai dreamt about advanced applications of space even at the beginning of the Indian space programme and his dreams are now becoming true.

Shri. KN Vyas, Chairman, AEC and Secretary, DAE recalled Dr. Sarabhai’s association with DAE after Homi J Bhabha and he said that the fast breeder reactor was Sarabhai’s original brain child.

Dr. MR Srinivasan, Member AEC and former secretary, DAE remembered his long journey with Dr. Sarabhai right from the early days in Bangalore even before he joined DAE.

Dr. Kartikeya Sarabhai, the son of Vikram Sarabhai, narrated the momentous occasions with his father, especially the conferences of DAE and DOS.

Prof. Errol D’ Souza, Director, Indian Institute of Management, Ahmadabad, mentioned about Dr. Sarabhai’s effort to bring the premier management institute to India from which many faculty members went to renowned institutes of the world.

A photo album on the complete life story of Dr. Sarabhai, a coffee table book on ISRO through images and a 100 Rupee coin were released to commemorate the occasion.

Shri Narendra Modi, the Honorable Prime Minister of India, addressed the gathering through video and applauded the contributions of ISRO and DAE for the development of scientific community. A message from Chief Minister, Gujarat was read on this occasion.

A mobile exhibition van realised by ISRO and an exhibition on DOS and DAE activities were inaugurated and opened to public on this occasion. The valedictory function of Sarabhai centenary programme will be held on August 12, 2020 at Thiruvananthapuram.