Dr. G. MADHAVAN NAIR
Dr. G. Madhavan Nair – The Man Behind Chandrayaan -I’s Success
Behind every success story there are some dedicated individuals who with their indomitable zeal and expertise, play a pivotal role in making the endeavor successful Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman of Indian space research Organization (ISRO), is the vital cog in the Chandrayaan –I team, which was felicitated by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on December 24, 2008 in New Delhi. Chandrayaan –I’s success has opened a new chapter in the history of India’s space exploration, and Dr. G. Nair has been the driving force that made this glorious achievement possible.
Born in Kerala, Dr. Nair began his early student life in Tamil Nadu, and graduated with a B.Sc. from Kerala University in 1966 with specialization in Electrical and Communication Engineering. After his graduation, he attended a training programme at the prestigious Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) Training School, Mumbai.
Dr. Nair reputation as a leading technologist in the field of rocket systems is attested his contribution to the development of multi-stage satellite launch vehicle, which helped India to be self-reliant in the arena of space. It was mainly due to his efforts their India successfully survived the technology denial regime put in place by the developed countries. He was instrumented in the development of the workhorse of the ISRO. He also oversaw the success story of the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). During his chairmanship, ISRO accomplished 22 successful missions. His forte lies in taking revolutionary initiatives and transforming them into reality. He has also played a vital role in developing futuristic technologies to enhance the capability of the exiting space systems as also to reduce the costs involved on the process.
In the global arena, Dr. Nair has played a crucial role in working out mutually beneficial international collaborations by loading Indian delegations in negotiations. His main focus has always been to achieve self-reliance in the high technology to the nation, always keeping in mind the needs of the poor.
Dr. Nair has won several awards such as
- National Aeronautical Award
- FIE Foundation’s Award
- Shri Om Prekash Bhasin Award
- Swadeshi Sastra Puraskar Award
- Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Gold Medal of the Indian Science Congress Association,
- Dr. Yelavarthy Nayudamma Memorial Award-2004
- HK Firodia Award – 2005
- Lokmanya Tilak Award
- Sree Chithira Thirunal Award
- Padma Bhushan in 1998
He also received Gold Medal from the Prime Minister at the 94th Indian Science Congress at Chidambaram in 2007. In recognition of the achievements, the government honored him with the coveted Padma Vibhushan in 2009.
He was elected on August 31, 2009, President of International Academy of Astronautics. He became the first ever non-American to lead the 50-year-old organization of world’s foremost space scientists. The IAA Secretary General Mr. Jean Mitchell Contant made the announcement of his election to the coveted post. The election was conducted through postal ballot as the IAA has a membership spanning 94 countries. I wish him to make more scientific breakthroughs in future.
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