Prime Minister Names Space Centre after Prof Satish Dhawan

In a unique function held at ISRO's launching Centre at Sriharikota, the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, today (September 5, 2002) named the Centre as Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR by unveiling a specially erected plaque at Sriharikota, remotely from his residence at New Delhi.

Prof Satish Dhawan, who passed away on January 03, 2002, was the Chairman of ISRO from 1972 to 1984, which were its formative years.

Unveiling the plaque from New Delhi, the Prime Minister said that Prof Satish Dhawan was a multi-faceted personality, truly, one of the most distinguished Indians of our times - a brilliant aeronautical engineer, an outstanding space scientist, a philosopher, a humanist, and above all, a great visionary. "His unique human qualities, combining intense personal charm with a deep commitment to social values and an extraordinary objectivity in management, led several generations of students, colleagues and administrators to efforts that, perhaps, would not have been undertaken otherwise" he said and added that scrupulous objectivity and deep concern for the society's problems always marked his leadership.

Saying that Sriharikota launch range occupies a prominent position in the space atlas of the world by having launched all ISRO satellite launch vehicles like SLV, ASLV, PSLV, GSLV, the Prime Minister said that by naming this important space establishment as Satish Dhawan Space Centre, SHAR, India is paying its humble tribute to Prof Satish Dhawan, who epitomizes the value system that goes with excellence, professionalism and, above all, deepest commitment to the growth of science and technology and their implications to the society and its overall progress. He expressed confidence that those working in the Indian space programme, especially at Sriharikota, will draw inspiration from late Prof Satish Dhawan's life and take this programme to a higher level of excellence.

Welcoming the guests for the function, Dr Kasturirangan said in his address that the occasion of naming the Centre after Prof Satish Dhawan will find a special place in the annals of Indian space history. Recalling that Prof Dhawan was an outstanding Professor at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, he said that India is paying its tribute to Prof Dhawan, especially on Teacher's Day.

Smt. Vasundhara Raje, Minister of State (Space) was also present at Prime Minister's residence at New Delhi for the function, besides several dignitaries, space scientists and others at Sriharikota.