| Great Scientists+ |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
VIKRAMA SARABHAI |
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| What A Guru! "He’s coming; tell him." "I didn’t damage it. You tell him yourself." "No, I can't. You tell him. I am afraid. " Two persons were engaged in this conversation. Just then Vikram Sarabhai came to them. "What is the matter?" he asked. "The Electric Meter has gone out of order, Sir. We allowed too heavy a current to pass through it." "Is that all? Don't mind it too much. Such things do happen when students are learning. If students don't make mistakes, how can they learn? It is enough if you learn to be more careful in future." The above dialogue took place in a small research laboratory in Ahmedabad in1948. R. P. Kane and another student were conducting some experiments in the Mahatma Gandhi Science Institute, in the - physics laboratory. 'During an experiment, because of the heavy current, the meter was burnt. At that time, it was very difficult to get such meters in the market. For want of one meter, many important experiments had to be suspended for months. Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai had started this laboratory in a very recent time. So the students were afraid of what Vikram Sarabhai would say when he would come to know of what had happened. That is why the two were discussing the matter. But, when Sarabhai was told about it, let alone becoming angry, he did not even show a trace of irritation or annoyance in his f ace. Instead, he spoke to them comfortingly. Praful D. Bhavsar had taken his B.Sc. (Bachelor of Science) Degree. In 1948, he went to Poona to study for the Master of Science Degree. He could not secure admission to any college there. Then, Dr. L. A. Ramdas (of the India Meteorological Department at Poona) told him of the Physical Research Laboratory that Vikram Sarabhai had recently started at Ahmedabad. He told Bhavsar that if he met Vikram Sarabhai his problem would be solved. Bhavsar went to see Sarabhai. By that time Sarabhai was in a small room, engaged in, blowing a piece of glass tube. He was wearing white Khaddar trousers and a bright green coat. Vikram welcomed Bhavsar with a smile and requested him to wait till his work to be completed. He appeared very simple and free from vanity. Bhavsar had his own mental picture of a great experimental physicist. That picture seemed to have come to life in Sarabhai. Therefore, Bhavsar was ready at that very moment to accept Sarabhai as his Guru (teacher). Sarabhai put him many questions. After finding out why he wanted to study physics, how keen his interest in the subject was and such other details, he admitted him to the Laboratory. These incidents show how powerfully Vikram Sarabhai influenced his students. After India became free, Vikram Ambalal Sarabhai was among the few scientists who devoted their entire life to the progress of science in this country. |
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