Vikram Sarabhai (1919-1971) and Homi Bhabha are often hailed
as the two princes of Indian science. Born into extremely
wealthy families, both blossomed, first into top-class scientists
matching the best in the country, if not in the world, and
then into science and technology administrators and institution-builders
of high stature. With phenomenal vision and dynamism, both
made sterling contributions towards building a modern India.
The book under review is a loving tribute to Vikram Sarabhai,
who "saw a revolution coming and helped to make it
happen" in Independent India's critical, early years.
It tells a gripping tale, because its hero lived a wonderfully
event-packed life—the elements so mixed in him as to
make him a modern Indian icon. The story of his life was
the stuff of legends, and Amrita Shah, the author, captures
the essence of it brilliantly in this extremely readable
biography.
Vikram was born in 1919, as a scion of the fabulously rich
Sarabhai family and had an idyllic childhood in the opulent
21-acre Royal Garden Palace of the Sarabhais in Ahmedabad,
served by 20 hamals, six bais, two cooks, 30 gardeners,
10 guards and an army of drivers and cleaners. His parents
set up a school in the premises of their mansion just for
Vikram and his seven siblings. There were a dozen odd teachers,
including three PhDs to teach the eight kids and impart
in them a love of knowledge and its pursuit, and give them
"first the education of the senses and then the education
of the intellect".
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