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"Vikram Sarabhai was the gifted architect of the Indian Space Programme. It was his imagination backed by an
extraordinary capacity to band together people - scientist, engineers and others - that brought ISRO into being with
the objective of using Space Technology for the benefit of India. This collection of his writings and speeches gives a

glimpse of his vision" (Reference 4).

"Dr.Prakash never raised his voice in anger, never missed a schedule or failed to complete a responsibility he had

undertaken --- how do you measure the contribution of such a man? We will all miss him" (Reference 5).

VISION FOR INDIAN S&T

Even though he recognized that Science & Technology systems had several unique features in their operations, he
never visualized them as being independent and separate from the social and political contexts in which they were
happening. He had a deep sense of history and an enduring concern for humanity and society. These were

reflected in many things that he did both in his personal life as well as in his leadership of various organisations. He
did not write many articles. Neither did he deliver many lectures on his views and understanding of these complex
problems. However these beliefs and values influenced all his discussions and actions in ISRO.

He clearly understood the role of S&T in the development of India. He understood even better the particular role
that space technology could play in the development of a modern India. He saw ISRO and the space programme as
an organization that had to translate the potential of space into products and services that could benefit the people

of India. Though he was the head of the space programme and would seem to have a vested interest in its
development he often divorced himself from this role so that he could be more objective about what the
programme should and should not do.

He insisted that ISRO should never push technology for the sake of technology. The extensive analyses carried out
within ISRO not only addressed technology choices and options but also addressed in great detail the impacts that
the applications of this technology would have on India. Cost-benefit analyses, environmental or societal impact
studies, user involvement and commitment to the Indian space effort were part and parcel of every minor and

major initiative that ISRO undertook. It was only after this intensive personal and organizational soul searching that
he would try and move ISRO towards its next major challenge. This approach came about because of Prof.
Dhawan's commitment to position space applications in India in its right socio-economic context. To him space was

not about chasing fanciful notions or fashions. Nor was it meant to be a proclamation of state power. It was a
human activity in the service of human beings who live in the larger context of the earth's ecology. The philosopher
and engineer in him were integrated through his deeper understanding of science as a great human endeavour. He
understood the processes of science in its larger context - its potential and limitations.

One of the finest pieces of writing by Prof.S.Dhawan on the development of Science &Technology in India, and the
processes in science can be seen in his Aryabhata Lecture delivered on August 02, 1985 at the Indian National
Science Academy (Reference 6)

" The manner in which space technology was grown and established and is now beginning to be put to use in India
is perhaps a rare and remarkable example of a scientific enterprise allowed to be conceived and run by scientists
with the active support of the Government.

Scientific enterprises inherently tend to be "high risk" ventures in the sense that there is no apriori guarantee of
attaining specific success. Scientific research if diligently and honestly carried out with the searingly critical

appraisal of peers almost always results in new knowledge - often modifying and upsetting earlier theories and
understandings. Even negative results make positive contributions. The case with new technology can be quite
/