Logo

Dr. A Sivanthu Pillai, Distinguished Scientist & the architect of BRAHMOS supersonic cruise missile joint venture with Russia, is the Chief Controller, DRDO for Naval Systems and CEO & MD of BrahMos Aerospace. He contributed in the development of rocket motors for SLV-3 –the first Satellite Launch Vehicle of India, as a core team member of the project at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. Later, he was Programme Director for Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme at DRDL, Hyderabad where he contributed in the development of critical technologies using a network of academic institutions, R&D labs and industries which helped realizing Agni, Prithvi, Nag, Trishul and Akashmissiles. He was also instrumental in development and induction of indigenous underwater sensors and weapon systems in Indian Navy. Dr. Pillai, is the author of any technical papers, and co-author of the book “Envisioning an Empowered Nation” with Dr. A.P.J. Abbdul Kalam and authored book “Technology Leadership: A revolution in the making” He is recipient of various national and international awards including Padmashree and Fellow/Member of professional societies.

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, b. 15 October 1931, is one oc India’s most distinguished scientists. He was responsible for the development of India's first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-3, development and operationalization of strategic missiles and their weaponization, and for building indigenous capability in critical technologies. As Chairman of the Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), he guided a number of technology projects and missions to take India into the twenty-first century. The document on Technology Vision 2020 is a blueprint to make India a developed country. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam held various positions in ISRO and DRDO and became Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India holding the rank of a Cabinet Minister. He has the unique honour of receiving honorary doctorates from thirty universities and the country's three highest civilian honours - Padma Bhushan (1981), Padma Vibhushan (1990) and Bharat Ratna (1997). He has done a short stint as Professor of Technology and Societal Transformation at Anna University, Chennai, when he was elected President of India in July 2002.  He has met more than 4,00,000 children all over the country to share his vision of India.