Dr. Sarabhai emphasized the importance of a space program in his quote: "There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society." After the Russian, Sputnik launch, he successfully convinced the government of India of the importance of a space programme for a developing country like India. It resulted in the establishment of the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).

Vikram Sarabhai was born on 12th August 1919 to an important and rich business family in Ahamedabad, India. Father of Vikram Sarabhai, Ambalal Sarabhai was an affluent industrialist. Vikram Sarabhai was one of the eight children of Ambalal and Sarla Devi. Sarla Devi established a private school on the lines of the Montessori method, propounded by Maria Montessori. Mahatma Gandhi, Motilal Nehru, Rabindranath Tagore and Jawaharlal Nehru used to visit frequently the Sarabhai house as the family was involved in the Indian freedom struggle. This influenced the young Vikram Sarabhai in shaping his personality. In1942, Vikram Sarabhai married Mrinalini Sarabhai, a celebrated classical dancer of India. Nobody from Vikram`s side was able to attend the marriage ceremony because It was the time when Quit India movement was going on led by Mahatma Gandhi. Vikram and Mrinalini had two children - Kartikeya and Mallika. Mallika Sarabhai is a renowned dancer herself and has been awarded with the Palme d`Or. During his last days, he was under a great amount of stress due to excessive travelling and a huge work-load which adversely affected his health. Vikram Sarabhai died on 30 December 1971 at Kovalam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala in his sleep.

After his matriculation from Gujrat College in Ahmedabad he moved to England and joined the St. John`s College, University of Cambridge. In 1940 he received the Tripos in Natural Sciences from Cambridge. When World War II began, he returned home and joined as a research scholar under Sir C. V. Raman at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He began research in cosmic rays under the guidance of Sir C. V. Raman, a Nobel Prize winner. His interest in solar physics and cosmic ray led him to set up many observation stations around the country. He returned to Cambridge after the war and was awarded a PhD in 1947 for his thesis titled "Cosmic Ray investigation in Tropical Latitudes".

Vikram Sarabhai did research on the time variations of cosmic rays. The research concluded that `meteorological effects could not entirely affect the observed daily variations of cosmic rays; further, the residual variations were wide and global and these were related to variations in solar activity`. Forerunner Vikram Sarabhai visualized a new field of research opening up in solar and interplanetary Physics.

Vikram Sarabhai played an instrumental role in establishing the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in Ahmedabad in November 1947 after returning from Cambridge.He was only 28 at that time. Sarabhai was a creator and cultivator of institutions. Establishment of PRL was the first step indeed. The laboratory was established in a few rooms in M.G. Science Institute of the Ahmedabad Education Society, which was founded by his parents with the support from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the Department of Atomic Energy.

With active support from Dr.Homi Jehangir Bhabha, the father of India`s nuclear science program, Vikram Sarabhai, set up the first Rocket Launching station (TERLS). The station was established in the country at Thumba near Thiruvananthapuram on the Arabian Coast, as Thumba is very close to the Equator. With remarkable infrastructure, personnel, communication links and launch pads, the first rocket with sodium vapour payload was launched on November 21, 1963. As a result in 1965, the UN General Assembly gave recognition to TERLS as an international facility.

The Satellite Instructional Television experiment (SITE) was launched during 1975-76 as a result of Dr. Sarabhai`s conversation with NASA in 1966. Dr. Sarabhai`s dream was occurred posthumously. `Aryabhata`, the first Indian Satellite was put in orbit in 1975 as a result of Dr. Sarabhai`s project. Dr. Sarabhai was very interested in science education and founded a Community Science Centre at Ahmedabad in 1966. Today, the Centre is called the `Vikram A Sarabhai Community Science Centre`. Apart from that Dr Vikram Sarabhai established many institutes which are of international repute. Most notable among them are Indian Institute Of Managements which are considered world class for their management studies. Dr Vikram Sarabhai setup ATIRA (Ahmedabad Textiles Industrial Research Association) which helped the booming textiles business in Ahmedabad. He also setup CEPT (Center for Environmental Planning and Technology). He went ahead not stopping with all these and setup BMA (Blind Men Association) which helps visually challenged people with necessary skills and support.

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was appointed Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission in May 1966 after the sudden death of Dr. Homi Bhabha in an air crash. He also holds the distinguished positions like `President of the Physics section, Indian Science Congress` in 1962, `President of the General Conference of the I.A.E.A., Verína, in 1970; Vice-President, Fourth U.N. Conference on `Peaceful uses of Atomic Energy` in 1971. He wanted the practical application of science to reach the common man. He had a desire to acquire competence in advance technology for the solution of country`s problems based on technical and economic evaluation of its real resources. He initiated India`s space programme, which today is renowned all over the world.

Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was awarded `Dr. Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize` in 1962. He was conferred `Padma Shri` in 1966 and was posthumously awarded `Padma Vibushan` in 1972. This great scientist could be credited with launching India into space age.