Meet Eknath Chitnis, the man who helped build ISRO and backed a young APJ Abdul Kalam

Professor Eknath Vasant Chitnis played a pivotal role in pioneering India’s initial forays into space research. Collaborating closely with Vikram Sarabhai, he was integral in laying the groundwork for the nation’s space program. Notably, he chose Thumba for India’s first rocket launches and astutely recognized APJ Abdul Kalam’s talent, inviting him to join ISRO. His efforts contributed significantly to expanding satellite television access to isolated communities across India.

Source: Times of India September 12, 2026 06:49 UTC