Dr. V.K. Saraswat honoured with Aryabhatta award

Renowned Indian scientist Dr. V.K. Saraswat was today honoured with the prestigious Aryabhatta award by the Astronautical Society of India.

He received the award from the hands of Minister of State in the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions and Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) V. Narayanasamy during a glittering Awards ceremony of the Astronautical Society of India held at ISRO Telemetry and Tracking Network Centre (ISTRAC), Byalalu, Bengaluru.

The award was conferred on him for his lifetime contributions to Missiles and Aerospace technologies and also in recognition of his pioneering contributions towards the growth of Astronautics in the country.

Dr. Saraswat, who presently serves as the Director General of the Defence Research and Development Organisation, Secretary of Defence Research and Development and the Chief Scientific Advisor to the Minister of Defence, is a well-known missile scientist. A champion of indigenization he has immensely contributed to the indigenous design and development of wide range of strategic and tactical missiles, as well as a unique twin layer ballistic missile defence (BMD) system in the country. Under his leadership, DRDO entered a new phase of delivery of broad spectrum of world class weapon systems, platforms and military equipment, and initiation of development of new futuristic technologies and systems.

Speaking on the occasion, Narayanasamy lauded the efforts of Dr. Saraswat.

Dr. Avinash Chander, Vice President of the ASI and Chief Controller RandD (Missiles and Strategic Systems), DRDO, recalled the contributions of Dr. Saraswat in development of various missiles including those under IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missile Development Program)and making India self-reliant in the area of Ballistic Missile Defence.

Another DRDO Scientist G. Satheesh Reddy, Outstanding Scientist and Director of Research Centre Imarat (RCI) received the prestigious ASI Rocketry and related Technologies Award (ASI Rocketry Award) on the occassion.

Dr K. Radhakrishnan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and President of the Astronautical Society of India besides ISRO scientific fraternity were present.