Page 62 - PROF-DHAWAN-COMPILED

An enterprising and versatile Scientist, Dr. Sarabhai in his early 40’s, saw in Space not
merely an avenue of exciting Science but a means to transform the life of the country
and its people. That became an indomitable national vision. When Dr. Sarabhai,
Chairman ISRO (besides other national roles), departed to the heavens untimely,
Prof. Satish Dhawan stepped in to lead India’s Space programme. That was in 1972.

Prof. Dhawan believed: “Man’s future in Space will be determined more by socio-
cultural imperatives rather than science & technology alone”. Sarabhai’s vision was
executed with commendable diligence, focus and national significance, under Prof
Dhawan’s sterling leadership of next 12 years.

In 1972, Prof. Dhawan created the 3-in-one structure of Space Commission as the
apex policy making body, Department of Space for governance intertwined with the
existing ISRO executing Space programme; this unique organisational edifice has
stood the test of time. Besides, he crafted clever strategy, through a national
consultative process, to focus on three distinctive and parallel steps: (i) to
demonstrate utility of satellites for nation's development (SITE) (ii) to learn to build
satellites (Aryabhata) and (iii) to grow in rocketry to launch satellites from India itself
(SLV-3). As they matured, he evolved ‘National Systems using space technology’ and

concomitant institutional tie ups with all stakeholders. Aside, he catalysed and
facilitated Space industry to emerge as ISRO’s partners to build rockets, satellites and
ground equipment. Also, Academics were brought in to respond to the needs of
research in space science, technology and applications, besides being reviewers of
ISRO’s work.

Prof. Dhawan had the magnanimity to state: “It was Vikram’s vision, I only executed
it”. Quite, a rare gesture!To my mind, these two legendary scientists steering ISRO in
that sequence, made the difference by shaping India’s odyssey in ‘rocket science' and
an organisational culture often quoted as 'ISRO way of working'.

Prof. Dhawan is my Role Model. After he handpicked me in 1981 from Vikram
Sarabhai Space Centre for the ISRO headquarters, it has been two decades of close
association - as a staff officer, as the young chap in the adjacent room and as doctoral
student. Obviously, his name appears in 20 pages of my biography- ‘My Odyssey….’
(Penguin Random House India 2016) and I pick from it a few lines: In early 1996, I
approached him for guidance for my doctoral research. His spontaneous response
was “I am available for you twenty-four hours a day.”. During this exercise, Prof.
Dhawan had cautioned me, “Do not design for disappointment.” …….On the evening
of 31 October 2009, I stepped into Antariksh Bhavan as the seventh Chief of ISRO,
taking with me a copy of my appointment order, my ‘Road Map to ISRO’ and a
framed photograph of Prof. Satish Dhawan that I had kept with me for many years.
I was proud to be his last doctoral student and got a tremendous amount of strength
by remembering his philosophies. The photograph kept reminding me, ‘Never do