The Hindu : Sarabhai was an invisible leader: Kalam

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 09, 2002

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National

Sarabhai was an invisible leader: Kalam

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM JULY 8. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, National Democratic Alliance nominee for the presidential election, and luminaries of India's Space Programme paid tributes today to the founding father of the Indian Space Research Organisation, Vikram Sarabhai, at a simple function at the Veli Research Complex, ISRO, here.

In an atmosphere marked by nostalgia and attended by about 7000 employees of ISRO, Mrinalini Sarabhai, wife of Vikram Sarabhai, unveiled the bronze bust of her husband.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Kalam said that the ability to think was the real capital of the space community. Remembering Sarabhai as a visionary, Dr. Kalam said he was an "invisible'' leader whose pleasant demeanour was a lesson in itself.

The chairman of ISRO, K. Kasturirangan, who welcomed the gathering, said that the actual tribute to Sarabhai was the four decades of work, which had translated what he had envisaged. It was possible to realise his vision because of the collective effort of ISRO and the luminaries who guided them.

Acknowledging the tributes, Mrs. Sarabhai said that she was happy that her husband's vision had become a reality. She expressed the hope that it would be passed on to the younger people.

The former Minister and former chairman, ISRO, M. G. K. Menon, presided over the function. The former Director of Space Application Centre, Yashpal, released a souvenir titled "The legend lives on.'

The former Director, Ahemedabad Physical Research Laboratory, E. V. Chitnis, and the former Chief Election Commissioner and Additional Secretary, Department of Space, T. N. Seshan, recalled their association with Sarabhai and the Indian Space Programme.

Sarabhai's daughter, Mallika, and son, Karthik, were among those present.

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