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The man who wrote 80- scientific papers, set up more than 40 institutions, initiated Space program of the nation, led its nuclear energy program. Yes we are discussing about Vikram Sarabhai. A boy from a prosperous Jain family of a textile mill owner from Ahmedabad. He and his seven siblings were educated in a private school established on the family’s 21 acre property. This institution was frequently visited by personalities like Rabindranath Tagore, Jawaharlal Nehru etc. which infused the sense of patriotism in them.

He went to study physics at Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. There he studied under the able guidance of Nobel laureate C. V. Raman. It was here only he cultivated friendship with Homi Bhabha, who set up India’s atomic energy program. In the post independence era, Vikram set up several institutions a few independently like Physical Research Laboratory’ and cofounded a few with his wife Mrinalini as well like: the Darpana Dance Academy. He also founded the Ahmedabad Textile Industry’s Research Association, India’s first textile research cooperative; the country’s first market research  agency, the Operations Research Group; the Indian Institute of Management( Ahmedabad) and helped in setting up the national Institute of Design. This also reveals the versatility and the range of interests he had. His consistent approach involving the use of scientific method, financial planning had a nationalistic purpose.

During the era of cold war, when space technology was being used of military purposes, it was unthinkable for a developing, poor struggling nation to aspire for a space program for peaceful purposes. Sarabhai made it seemingly possible and mandatory for developing technology for communication, weather forecasting and mineral prospecting; answering the need of a developing nation.

With his imaginative zeal, he managed to complete projects like satellite instructional television experiment to beam educational content to 2400 poorest villages, building agricultural complexes serviced by atomic power and desalinated sea water. Working for 18-20 hours a day, he gained respect using both charm and persuasion, in the eyes of his seniors like Bhabha, and then leading industrialist Kasturbhai Lalbhai. They collaborated with Vikram in many of his ventures.

Missed Out Opportunity The nuclear deal between India and US, which could have brought both the countries very close to each other, is almost dead though some signs of hope are left yet. It was a great opportunity missed by the Indian government that could have solved its future problems related to energy requirements.

Reasons of Criticism It has been conveyed to India repeatedly by the US government through bureaucratic medium that only a green signal By India before the June end can still save the deal. From the initial stages the deal has always remained controversial .It was not being debated and criticized only by the bureaucracy and politicians but also by the public of both of the nations. It was being criticized in US by the patrons of nuclear non-proliferation. In India it was being resisted mainly by the left parties. Their view was that the deal will affect country’s sovereignty .Governments of both the countries were trying their best the reach  an agreement which was being equally opposed in both of the countries. It included a lot of efforts on both sides such as convincing the scientific community, diplomacy, and legal expertise.   

Natural Friends Both the countries are the largest democracies of the world and are fighting a war against terrorism. India’s record of non-proliferation, Democracy, and support of US war against terrorism after the 9/11 had projected it the natural ally of US. On US persuasion, India had abandoned the project of India Iran gas pipes line through Pakistan. Now the N-deal also has been left to fate because of some internal differences, has almost reached to the stage of ‘deadlock’, and thus India has lost all the limited opportunities it was offered to meet its energy requirements.

Energy Requirements India meets it energy requirements by importing 70% petroleum products from the other countries. Indian economy is growing at a great pace and its energy requirements are also increasing. Because of its limited energy resource it is dependent on the other countries .This dependency is also a threat to the sovereignty of the nation. India has never indulged in nuclear proliferation as compared to the other countries. All the deal was related to the peaceful use of nuclear energy. When everything is in the favor of both the countries then why this deal is being criticized. Reasons may be related to the countries but are much more related to the vested interests of some people who do not want to see both the nations coming closer to each other.