Vikram Sarabhai | Devotion towards PhD Research

Welcome to the Vikram Sarabhai Centenary Celebrations Series, learn about his devotion towards his PhD research in Cosmic Rays under Dr CV Raman.

Welcome to the Vikram Sarabhai Centenary Celebrations Series, learn about his devotion towards his PhD research in Cosmic Rays under Dr CV Raman.

Vikram Sarabhai Centenary Celebrations: Devotion for PhD Research

Vikram Sarabhai was a devoted researcher. Despite his brother's failing health and increasing Indian freedom struggles, he continued his work on Cosmic Ray research. As Sarabhai's chosen instrument was Geiger counters, he required a precise set to conduct his experiments. He travelled to the Poona Observatory of India Meteorological Department (IMD). Dr KR Ramanathan, the deputy director-general of IMD, helped him with the necessary expertise and received him and his wife with warm hospitality.

Once on his vacation to Kashmir, Sarabhai hunted for a good site for cosmic ray research at a high altitude. He was looking for an altitude higher than 14,100 feet. But there was no place at such height in Kashmir facilitated with basic amenities. The governor of Kashmir arranged the transport of forty pack ponies and fifty porters for the Sarabhai family to reach the final chosen site, Gangabal.

All his efforts proved fruitful in the end. Vikram Sarabhai travelled to Machester for his Oral examination before PMS Blackett, the scientist who won the Nobel prize the following year. Both Vikram and Mrinalini lingered in Europe post receiving the award of Cambridge PhD degree.