<Tr> <Th> Doctoral advisor </Th> <Td> C.V. Raman </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Doctoral students </Th> <Td> Udupi Ramachandra Rao </Td> </Tr> <P> Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai (12 August 1919--30 December 1971) was an Indian scientist and innovator widely regarded as the father of India's space programme . Sarabhai received the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Medal in 1962 . The nation honoured him awarding Padma Bhushan in 1966 and Padma Vibhushan (posthumously) in 1972 . </P> <P> Son of The Kumar Ambalal Sarabhai, he came from the famous Sarabhai family of India who were major industrialists committed to the Indian independence movement . Vikram Sarabhai married the classical dancer Mrinalini in 1942 . The couple had two children . His daughter Mallika gained prominence as an actress and activist, and his son Kartikeya Sarabhai too became an active person in science . During his lifetime, he practiced Jainism and belonged to the Shrimal Jain community of Ahmedabad . </P>

Who laid the foundation of space science in india