G. Madhavan Nair
Encyclopedia
G. Madhavan Nair (born October 31, 1943) is the former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation
and Secretary to the Department of Space
, Government of India since September 2003. He is also the Chairman, Space Commission and acts as the Chairman of Governing Body of the Antrix Corporation
, Bangalore
. Madhavan Nair was awarded the Padma Vibhushan
, India's second highest civilian honour, on January 26, 2009. He is also serving as the Chairman, Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Technology Patna
.
near Thiruvananthapuram
, Kerala
, India
. He also studied as a youth in Kanyakumari District
. He graduated with a B.Sc.
in Engineering (1966) from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala University
with specialization in Electrical & Communication Engineering. After his graduation Nair attended a training program at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) Training School, Mumbai
.
, achieving self-reliance in independent access to space using indigenous technologies. Nair and his team have advanced their work in the face of several challenges in the regime of technology denials by adopting several innovations and novel techniques to realise world class launch vehicle systems. India today has a pride of place amongst the space-faring nations in launch vehicle technology. Specifically, as Project Director, he led the development of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
(PSLV) which has since become the workhorse for launching mainly Indian remote sensing satellites.
As Director of ISRO’s largest R & D Centre, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
, he also saw India’s Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
(GSLV) successfully come to fruition. Further, as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
of ISRO, he played a central role in the design and development of the crucial cryogenic engine for GSLV. A list of Positions held before is listed below:
In the international arena, Nair has led the Indian delegations for bilateral cooperation and negotiations with many Space Agencies and Countries, specially with France, Russia, Brazil, Israel, etc., and has been instrumental in working out mutually beneficial international cooperative agreements. Nair has led the Indian delegation to the S&T Sub-Committee of United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) since 1998.
His main focus has always been to achieve self-reliance in the high technology areas and to bring the benefits of space technology to India's development, specially targeting the needs of the rural and poor sections of society.
, Bangalore. He served National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad as the Chairman of Governing Body till it became National Remote Sensing Center.
Taking into account his vast experience he had held many positions out of ISRO. The notable ones include the president of Astronautical Society of India (ASI) in 2004, the president of Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) in 2005 and currently the Vice-President of Scientific Activities Committee of IAA, since 2006. In August 2009, he was elected president of the International Academy of Astronautics
. He is the only Indian and the first non-American to IAA. Nair will be the IAA president till 2011.
Mr. Nair is the General President of 97th Indian Science Congress 2009-2010. Dr. Nair is also the current and first Chairman of the Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Technology Patna.
The Government of India
conferred Madhavan Nair the highly coveted awards Padma Bhushan
in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan
in 2009 in recognition of his services to the country and society.
Indian Space Research Organisation
The Indian Space Research Organisation is an independent Indian governmental agency established in 1969 for the research and development of vehicles and activities for the exploration of space within and outside of Earth’s atmosphere. Headquartered in Bangalore...
and Secretary to the Department of Space
Department of Space
The Department of Space is an Indian government department responsible for administration of the Indian space program.The Indian Space Research Organization is the primary research and development arm of the DoS...
, Government of India since September 2003. He is also the Chairman, Space Commission and acts as the Chairman of Governing Body of the Antrix Corporation
Antrix Corporation
Antrix Corporation Limited is commercial wing of Indian Space Research Organization . The name "Antrix" is an anglicized version of Antariksh, from the Sanskrit word for "space" or "sky".-Products and services:...
, Bangalore
Bangalore
Bengaluru , formerly called Bengaluru is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. Bangalore is nicknamed the Garden City and was once called a pensioner's paradise. Located on the Deccan Plateau in the south-eastern part of Karnataka, Bangalore is India's third most populous city and...
. Madhavan Nair was awarded the Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
, India's second highest civilian honour, on January 26, 2009. He is also serving as the Chairman, Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Technology Patna
Indian Institute of Technology Patna
The Indian Institute of Technology, Patna is an autonomous institute for education and research in science, engineering and technology located in Patna, India. It is one of the 8 new IITs which have become functional between 2008 and 2009...
.
Early life
Nair was born at NeyyattinkaraNeyyattinkara
Neyyattinkara is municipality in Thiruvananthapuram district in the Indian state of Kerala. The name Neyyattinkara in Malayalam literally means the shore of Neyyar River. Neyyar River flows from Agasthyarkoodam , the highest peak in southern end of the Western Ghats. The taluk has a total...
near Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram , formerly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala and the headquarters of the Thiruvananthapuram District. It is located on the west coast of India near the extreme south of the mainland...
, Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
. He also studied as a youth in Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari District
Kanyakumari District ) is a district of Tamil Nadu state, India and is the southernmost land area of mainland India.The district is the second most urbanised district in Tamilnadu, next only to Chennai and ahead of Coimbatore. It also has the highest literacy and education levels in the...
. He graduated with a B.Sc.
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
in Engineering (1966) from College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala University
Kerala University
The University of Kerala, formerly the University of Travancore, is an affiliating university located in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala, India. It was established in 1937, long before the birth of the state of Kerala in India...
with specialization in Electrical & Communication Engineering. After his graduation Nair attended a training program at the Bhabha Atomic Research Center (BARC) Training School, Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...
.
Career
Nair is a leading technologist in the field of rocket systems and has made significant contribution to the development of multi-stage satellite launch vehiclesSatellite Launch Vehicle
The Indian Satellite Launch Vehicle or SLV was a project started in the early 1970s by Indian Space Research Organisation to develop the technology needed to launch satellites. The project was headed by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. SLV was intended to reach a height of 400 km and carry a payload of...
, achieving self-reliance in independent access to space using indigenous technologies. Nair and his team have advanced their work in the face of several challenges in the regime of technology denials by adopting several innovations and novel techniques to realise world class launch vehicle systems. India today has a pride of place amongst the space-faring nations in launch vehicle technology. Specifically, as Project Director, he led the development of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle , commonly known by its abbreviation PSLV, is an expendable launch system developed and operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation . It was developed to allow India to launch its Indian Remote Sensing satellites into sun synchronous orbits, a service that...
(PSLV) which has since become the workhorse for launching mainly Indian remote sensing satellites.
As Director of ISRO’s largest R & D Centre, the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre
The Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre is a major space research centre of the Indian Space Research Organisation , focusing on rocket and space vehicles for India's satellite programme...
, he also saw India’s Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle is an expendable launch system operated by the Indian Space Research Organisation...
(GSLV) successfully come to fruition. Further, as Director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre
The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre , located at three places, Valiyamala, near Nedumangad in Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, Mahendragiri in Thirunelveli District of Tamil Nadu and Bangaluru, Karnataka...
of ISRO, he played a central role in the design and development of the crucial cryogenic engine for GSLV. A list of Positions held before is listed below:
| 2010–Present | Chairman, Centre for Management Development, Trivandrum |
| 2003-09 | Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, Bangalore |
| 1999–2003 | Director, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Trivandrum |
| 1995-99 | Director, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, Trivandrum |
| 1994-96 | Programme Director, ILVP, VSSC, Trivandrum |
| 1988-95 | Project Director, PSLV, Trivandrum |
| 1984-88 | Associate Project Director, PSLV, Trivandrum |
| 1980-84 | Head, Electronics Systems, VSSC, Trivandrum |
| 1974-80 | Project Engineer, SLV-3 Project, Trivandrum |
| 1972-74 | Project Manager, Telecommand System, VSSC, Trivandrum |
| 1967-72 | Head, Payload Integration Section, TERLS, Trivandrum |
As Chairman of ISRO
As the Chairman of Indian Space Research Organization, Nair is entrusted with the responsibility for the development of space technology and its application to national development. During his tenure as Chairman, ISRO/Secretary, DOS, twenty seven successful missions were accomplished i.e., INSAT-3E, Resourcesat-1, Edusat, Cartosat-1, Hamsat-1, INSAT-4A, PSLV-C5, GSLV-F01, PSLV-C6, Cartosat-2, INSAT-4B, SRE-1, PSLV-C7,PSLV-C8, GSLV-F04, INSAT-4CR, PSLV-C10, Cartosat-2A, IMS-1,PSLV-C9, Chandrayaan-1, PSLV-C11, PSLV-C12, RISAT-2, ANUSAT, PSLV-C14 and Ocensat-2 . He has taken initiatives towards development of futuristic technologies to enhance the space systems capabilities as well as to reduce the cost of access to space. Nair has given major thrust for evolving application programmes such as tele-education and telemedicine for meeting the needs of society at large. As Chairman Space Commission, Nair is responsible for chalking out the future plan for space research in the country. Major thrust are in scientific exploration of outer space using the Astrosat and Chandrayaan (moon) missions apart from implementing schemes for telemedicine, tele-education and disaster management support systems. He is also providing guidance and leadership in undertaking new technology developments related to launch vehicle, spacecrafts for communication, remote sensing and applications programmes to meet societal needs.In the international arena, Nair has led the Indian delegations for bilateral cooperation and negotiations with many Space Agencies and Countries, specially with France, Russia, Brazil, Israel, etc., and has been instrumental in working out mutually beneficial international cooperative agreements. Nair has led the Indian delegation to the S&T Sub-Committee of United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN-COPUOS) since 1998.
His main focus has always been to achieve self-reliance in the high technology areas and to bring the benefits of space technology to India's development, specially targeting the needs of the rural and poor sections of society.
Controversies in S-Band Devas Scam
The Contract signed between Antrix Corporation and Devas Multimedia Private Limited on January 28, 2005 during his tenure as Chairman ISRO and Secretary, DOS, creates a lot of controversy in India.Additional responsibilities
Apart from being the Chairman, ISRO and Chairman, Space Commission, Mr. Nair is active in his contribution towards promotion of the space science and technology for the socio-economic benefit of India, he is also the Chairman of the Governing Body of the Antrix CorporationAntrix Corporation
Antrix Corporation Limited is commercial wing of Indian Space Research Organization . The name "Antrix" is an anglicized version of Antariksh, from the Sanskrit word for "space" or "sky".-Products and services:...
, Bangalore. He served National Remote Sensing Agency, Hyderabad as the Chairman of Governing Body till it became National Remote Sensing Center.
Taking into account his vast experience he had held many positions out of ISRO. The notable ones include the president of Astronautical Society of India (ASI) in 2004, the president of Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI) in 2005 and currently the Vice-President of Scientific Activities Committee of IAA, since 2006. In August 2009, he was elected president of the International Academy of Astronautics
International Academy of Astronautics
The International Academy of Astronautics is an international community of experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm on August 16, 1960....
. He is the only Indian and the first non-American to IAA. Nair will be the IAA president till 2011.
Mr. Nair is the General President of 97th Indian Science Congress 2009-2010. Dr. Nair is also the current and first Chairman of the Board of Governors, Indian Institute of Technology Patna.
Awards
Mr.Nair has won several awards such as National Aeronautical Award, FIE foundation’s Award, Shri Om Prakash Bhasin Award, Swadeshi Sastra Puraskar Award, Vikram Sarabhai Memorial Gold Medal of the Indian Science Congress Association, Dr.Yelavarthy Nayudamma Memorial Award-2004, HK Firodia Award-2005, Fifth “Shri Balvantbhai Parekh Award”, Lokmanya Tilak Award from Tilak Smarak Trust, “Sree Chithira Thirunal Award” from Sree Chithira Thirunal Trust, "MP Birla Memorial Award 2009", "Bhu Ratna Award", "Mohamed Abdu Rahiman Sahib National Award", "AV Rama Rao Technology Award", "Chanakya Award" etc., He has also received Gold Medal from the Prime Minister at the 94th Indian Science Congress at Chidambaram in 2007. He received M M Chugani award for 2006, conferred by Indian Physics Association at IIT Mumbai during March 2008. He was also conferred with "Raja Rammohan Puraskar" award on the 236th birth anniversary of Raja Rammohan Roy at Kolkata during May 2008.The Government of India
Government of India
The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
conferred Madhavan Nair the highly coveted awards Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
in 1998 and Padma Vibhushan
Padma Vibhushan
The Padma Vibhushan is the second highest civilian award in the Republic of India. It consists of a medal and a citation and is awarded by the President of India. It was established on 2 January 1954. It ranks behind the Bharat Ratna and comes before the Padma Bhushan...
in 2009 in recognition of his services to the country and society.
Honours
- D.Philosophy (Honoris Causa) conferred by Punjab Technical UniversityPunjab Technical UniversityPunjab Technical University is a state university located at Jalandhar, India. It was established by an act of State Legislature on 16 January 1997, to promote technical, management and pharmaceutical education in the Punjab state at the degree level and above...
, JalandharJalandharJalandhar is a city in Jalandhar District in the state of Punjab, India. It is located 144 km northwest of the state capital, Chandigarh...
(2003). - D.Sc. (Honoris Causa) conferred by Sri Venkateswara UniversitySri Venkateswara UniversitySri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, is a state university, which was established in 1954, in the famous temple city of Tirupati, South India, under the auspices of Late Tanguturi Prakasam Pantulu, the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, and with support of Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams...
, Tirupati (2004). - Honoris Causa Doctor of Science conferred by Indian Institute of Technology DelhiIndian Institute of Technology DelhiThe Indian Institute Of Technology, Delhi , commonly known as IIT Delhi or IITD, is a college of engineering in Delhi, India...
(2004) - Honoris Causa Degree of Doctor of Science Award by Rani Durgavati VishwavidyalayaRani Durgavati UniversityThe University of Jabalpur, also known as Rani Durgavati University, Hindi: रानी दुर्गावती विशवविधालय, is a public university in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, India. It was named after the queen Rani Durgavati...
, Jabalpur (2005) - D.Sc. from Indira Gandhi National Open UniversityIndira Gandhi National Open UniversityThe Indira Gandhi National Open University , known as IGNOU is a national university with its headquarters in New Delhi, Delhi, India. Named after former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi, the university was established in 1985 with a budget of 2000 crore, when the Parliament of India passed...
, DelhiDelhiDelhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
(2005) - D.Sc. from Rani Durgavati Vishwavidyalaya, Jabalpur (2005).
- D.Sc. from Cochin University of Science and TechnologyCochin University of Science and TechnologyCochin University of Science and Technology is a government owned autonomous university in Kochi , Kerala, India. Founded in 1971, the university consists of three campuses, two in Kochi and one in Kuttanad, Alappuzha, 66 km inland. The university awards degrees in engineering and allied...
, Kochi (2006) - Honoris Causa from University of MysoreUniversity of MysoreThe University of Mysore , is a public university in India. The University founded during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV, the Maharaja of Mysore, and was conceptualized on the basis of a report on educational progress in the United States and Australia, submitted by Messrs Thomas Denham and...
( 2006) - Honoris Causa from GJ University, Hissar (2006)
- Honoria Causa Degree of D.Sc. conferred at the 4th Convocation of Rajiv Gandhi Technical University, Bhopal (2007).
- Honorary Degree of D.Sc. of the University of Kerala, KeralaKeralaor Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
(2007). - Honorary Doctorate in Science conferred by SRM UniversitySRM UniversitySRM University is a co-educational private university from the state of Tamil Nadu, India. It was founded in the year 1985 as SRM Engineering college in Kattankulathur, under Anna University. The university now has four campuses in Tamil Nadu , one in Modinagar, near Delhi...
, ChennaiChennaiChennai , formerly known as Madras or Madarasapatinam , is the capital city of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, located on the Coromandel Coast off the Bay of Bengal. Chennai is the fourth most populous metropolitan area and the sixth most populous city in India...
(2008) - Honorary Doctorate in Science conferred by Pandit Ravishankar Shukla UniversityPandit Ravishankar Shukla UniversityPt. Ravishankar Shukla University is Chhattisgarh's largest and oldest institution of higher education, founded in 1964, and named after the first chief minister of erstwhile Madhya Pradesh. The University has a sprawling campus in the western part of the capital of Chhattisgarh, Raipur. The campus...
, Raipur (2009) - Honorary Doctorate in Science conferred by Karnatak UniversityKarnatak UniversityThe Karnatak University established initially at Mumbai in 1949, the location was shifted to Dharwad in October, 1949 and Karnatak University had its official inauguration in March 1950. The campus spans 750 acres . Dr. D. C. Pavate was the vice-chancellor of the university from 1954 to 1967...
, DharwadDharwadDharwad, also known as Dharwar, is a city and a DISTRICT PLACE in India's Karnataka state.Dharwad is the administrative seat of the Dharwad District. The municipality of Hubli-Dharwad covers an area of 200.23 km²...
(2009) - Honorary Doctorate in Science (Honoris Causa) conferred by Indian Institute of Technology BombayIndian Institute of Technology BombayThe Indian Institute of Technology Bombay , popularly known as IIT Bombay or IITB, is a public research university located in Powai, Mumbai...
(2009) - Honorary Doctorate in Science (Honoris Causa) conferred by Indian Institute of Technology KharagpurIndian Institute of Technology KharagpurThe Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur is an autonomous engineering, technology and management oriented institute of higher education established by the government of India in 1951...
(2009)
Fellowships/Memberships
- Fellow, Indian National Academy of Engineering.
- Fellow, Astronautical Society of India.
- Fellow, National Academy of Sciences, IndiaNational Academy of Sciences, IndiaThe National Academy of Sciences, India is the oldest Science Academy in India. It is located in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh...
. - Honorary Fellow, Indian Society for Non-Destruction Testing (ISNT).
- Member, System Society of India.
- Member, Working Committee of the Current Science Association 2004-06.
- Member, International Academy of AstronauticsInternational Academy of AstronauticsThe International Academy of Astronautics is an international community of experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm on August 16, 1960....
(2004). - Senior Associate, National Institute of Advanced Studies (2004–2007).
- President, Intersputnik Board (2005)
- Honorary Fellow of The Aeronautical Society of India (2007).
- Honarary Life fellow The Institution of Engineers(India) Kolkata (2008)
- Chairman, Research Council of National Aerospace LaboratoriesNational Aerospace LaboratoriesNational Aerospace Laboratories , is India's second largest aerospace firm after Hindustan Aeronautics . It was established by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research at Delhi in 1959 and its headquarters was later moved to Bangalore in 1960...
(April 2007 to March 2010). - President of the International Academy of AstronauticsInternational Academy of AstronauticsThe International Academy of Astronautics is an international community of experts committed to expanding the frontiers of space. It is a non-governmental organisation established in Stockholm on August 16, 1960....
(2009)