NB In List | Former DRDO Director General Dr. V.S. Arunachalam passes away; Know who he was?

New Delhi, Aug 17: Former Defence Research and Development Organisation ( DRDO ) Director General, Dr V S Arunachalam reportedly passed away in US. He passed away at the age of 87. Reports suggest that he was undergoing treatment for pneumonia and Parkinson’s. Such legends who have played a vital role for the country often remain unnoticed. Here's a brief on all about him;

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According to how DRDO describes him, Dr VS Arunachalam, a material scientist, became the first DRDO scientist to head the DRDO and also to assume the office of the Scientific Adviser. During his tenure of about ten years, the organisation expanded and excelled. He launched three major programmes: Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) under an autonomous body Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA); Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) Programme; and IGMDP (Integrated Guided Missiles Development Programme) to develop a family of strategic and tactical guided missiles.

More importantly, an innovative management structure was created for the IGMDP that helped in efficient sanctioning of projects and diligent monitoring of progress, which was later adopted throughout DRDO.

1. Foundation of CSTEP

Padma Vibhushan late Dr V S Arunachalam was the Founder–Chairman of CSTEP (Center for Study of Science, Technology & Policy.

2. Distinguished Career

His career spanned across Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), National Aeronautical Laboratory, and Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory. Dr Arunachalam also worked as the Secretary, Department of Defence Research and Development (Ministry of Defence).

3. Association with DRDO and Defence Minsitry

He was the Director General of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and served as the first Scientific Adviser to the Defence Minister, from 1982 to 1992.

4. Awards

He was conferred the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award (1980), Padma Bhushan (1985), and Padma Vibhushan (1990) for his contribution to engineering, science, and technology.

5. Represented India internationally

He was the first Indian Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (UK) and served as a member of the advisory and editorial boards of several universities and foundations, including the Materials Research Society Bulletin. He was also a Professor (Engineering and Public Policy) at Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh.

6. Lifetime Achievement

In 2015, he was awarded DRDO's Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the field of scientific research and technology.

NB In List | Former DRDO Director General Dr. V.S. Arunachalam passes away; Know who he was?

Also read: NB In List | Remembering 8 teachers who left their impact on India's freedom Struggle

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