Udupi Ramachandra Rao: If you have opened your computer to search Google since morning, then you must have seen a cute little doodle. Yes, if you belonged to India, then by watching this doodle, your chest must have become proud. In fact, this doodle has been dedicated to Indian scientist Professor Udupi Ramchandra Rao, whose 89th birthday is today. People also call Dr. UR Rao as ‘Satellite Man of India’ because of giving a new direction to India’s satellite program.
If you remember or you have read somewhere, you probably know that under his leadership, India had successfully launched its first satellite ‘Aryabhata’ in space in the year 1975. If Indian space science has reached such a height today, then the important role of Professor Rao in this can not be denied. Apart from space science, Professor Rao has also worked in the field of information technology to leave his indelible mark.
Belonging to an ordinary family: Speaking of Professor UD Rao, he was born on 10 March 1932 in the Adamaru area of Udupi district of Karnataka state. Udupi Ramchandra Rao, who belongs to an ordinary family, reached the forefront of the line of the best Indian scientists on the strength of his talent and dedication. Professor Rao also served as the President of the Indian Research Institute (ISRO) and the Space Secretary of India.
The honor of India: Prof. Rao also increased the honor of India on the international board. Under his leadership, India designed and prepared more than 20 satellites from the first Indian satellite ‘Aryabhata’ in 1975 and also launched them into space. Talking about the year 2013, this year the Society of Satellite Professionals International worked to make Professor Rao a part of ‘Satellite Hall of Fame, Washington’.
Many honors received: Apart from all this, the International Astronautical Federation also included him in the prestigious ‘IAF Hall of Fame’. In 1976, the Government of India awarded him the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third-highest civilian honor, for Prof. Rao’s contribution to space science. After this, in the year 2017, he was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian honor.
Died at the age of 85: July 24, 2017, was the day he breathed his last at the age of 85. Had he been alive, he would have been celebrating his 89th birthday today.
