Biography of Dr. Nambi Narayanan : Get all details here

Nambi Narayanan, born on December 12, 1941, is a well-known Indian aerospace scientist who has made major contributions to the ISRO. With an illustrious career, Narayanan played a pivotal role in the development of the Vikas rocket engine, thereby making significant advancements in the Indian space program.

General Information about Dr. Nambi Narayanan 

Dr. Nambi Narayanan Early Life

Dr. S. Nambi Narayanan, born on 12th December 1941 in the village of Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, hailed from a modest middle-class family. He received his early education at DVD Higher Secondary School in Nagercoil. Dr. Narayanan went on to pursue his Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from Thiagarajar College of Engineering in Madurai.

• Tragically, during his studies in Madurai, Dr. Nambi Narayanan lost his father, which deeply affected his family. His mother, burdened by the loss, fell ill during this challenging period. However, Dr. Narayanan's resilience and dedication to his studies remained unwavering.

• In due course, Dr. Narayanan entered married life and tied the knot with Meena Nambi. They were blessed with two children. Their son, Shankar Nambi, chose the path of business and embarked on his entrepreneurial journey. Meanwhile, their daughter, Geetha Arunan, pursued a career as a Montessori school teacher in Bangalore. Geetha Arunan married Subbiah Arunan, an esteemed ISRO scientist, director of the Mars Orbiter Mission, and recipient of the Padma Shri award.

While the personal aspects of Dr. Nambi Narayanan's life shed light on his family and relationships, his professional accomplishments and contributions to the field of aerospace engineering remain paramount.

Family And Personal Life Of Dr. Nambi Narayanan

Dr. Nambi Narayanan, an eminent Indian scientist and aerospace engineer, was born into a Hindu family on December 12, 1941. Sadly, he experienced the loss of his father while pursuing his bachelor's degree in Madurai. This unfortunate event deeply affected his family, particularly his mother, who fell ill following the loss. He also has two sisters.

In his personal life, Dr. Nambi Narayanan is happily married to Meena Nambi. The couple has been blessed with a son named Sankara Kumar Narayanan, who is involved in the business field, and a daughter named Geetha Arunan, who works as a Montessori school teacher in Bangalore.

About Dr. Nambi Narayanan Career 

Dr. Nambi Narayanan commenced his remarkable journey with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1966. During the early 1970s, he showcased his visionary prowess by anticipating the necessity of liquid-fueled engines in ISRO's upcoming civilian space programs. Recognizing the potential, he embarked on designing the first thrust liquid propellant motors, weighing approximately 600kg, and played a pivotal role in introducing liquid fuel rocket technology to India. 

• Simultaneously, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and his team focused on solid motors, thus complementing Narayanan's pioneering work.

Dr. Narayanan's exceptional project received significant support from esteemed individuals such as Satish Dhawan, the then chairman of ISRO, and U. R. Rao. With their backing, he assumed leadership of the cryogenics division, overseeing the production of materials at extremely low temperatures. 

• This responsibility further emphasized Dr. Narayanan's instrumental contributions to the advancement of space exploration and technology within the Indian context.

Achievement of Dr. Nambi Narayanan 

Utilizing valuable French assistance, Dr. Nambi Narayanan emerged as one of the key architects and masterminds behind the development of the renowned Vikas engine. 

• This highly influential engine found its application in numerous rockets of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), notably the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). The Vikas engine played a critical role in significant missions such as Chandrayaan-1, India's first lunar mission, and Mangalyaan, the Mars Orbiter Mission. 

• Moreover, the Vikas engine was employed in both the second and fourth strap-on stages of the Geo-Synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV). 

Dr. Narayanan's contributions in designing and implementing the Vikas engine have significantly propelled India's space exploration endeavors and cemented his status as a prominent figure in the field of aerospace engineering.

Controversies of Dr. Nambi Narayanan 

In 1994, S. Nambi Narayanan was falsely accused of espionage and subsequently arrested. However, after an extensive investigation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) dismissed the charges against him in 1996. The Supreme Court of India further vindicated him in 1998, declaring him not guilty of the accusations.

In a significant development in 2018, the Supreme Court, led by the bench of Dipak Misra, recognized the injustice faced by Nambi Narayanan and awarded him a compensation of 50 lakhs. This decision not only acknowledged the wrongful treatment he endured but also provided some measure of redress for the hardships he faced during that period.

Film On Nambi Narayanan

In October 2020, a biographical film titled "Rocketry - The Nambi Effect" was announced, with the screenplay, direction, and co-direction by R. Madhavan and Prajesh Sen, respectively. The film revolves around the life of Dr. Nambi Narayanan, showcasing his experiences and the challenges he faced. The teaser of the film was released on 1st April 2021, and it premiered on 1st July 2022.

In another notable film, "Jana Gana Mana" released in 2022, the character Aravinda Swaminathan, portrayed by Prithviraj, mentions an aerospace engineer working for ISRO who was falsely accused of espionage and selling state secrets. However, the engineer is later proven innocent. The film highlights the power of media in shaping public perception, often disregarding factual evidence.

Books of Dr. Nambi Narayanan 

Dr. Nambi Narayanan, in collaboration with Prajesh Sen, penned his autobiography titled "Ormakalude Brahmanapadam" (Footprints of Time) in 2017. The book offers a firsthand account of Dr. Narayanan's life journey, encompassing his experiences and challenges. It was published by Thrissur Current Books.

In addition, Dr. Narayanan co-authored the book "Ready to Fire: How India and I Survived the ISRO Spy Case" with Arun Ram, which was published by Bloomsbury India in 2018. This book delves into the ISRO spy case, providing insights into the events surrounding Dr. Narayanan's false accusation and subsequent struggle for justice. It sheds light on the resilience of both Dr. Narayanan and the Indian space program in navigating through the challenging times.

Facts About Dr. Nambi Narayanan

• Nambi Narayanan initially met ISRO Chairman Sarabhai at the Thumba rocket launching station.
• He collaborated closely with notable scientists like Satish Dhawan, Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and U.R. Rao.
• In India, Narayanan pioneered liquid fuel rocket technology.
• According to then-chairman Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan, ISRO could not intervene in legal affairs, hence Narayanan did not receive organizational backing.
• After being arrested, Narayanan endured 50 days of imprisonment, during which he faced torture and harassment.
• In 1996, the CBI dismissed all false allegations against Narayanan.
• The NHRC ordered the Kerala government to compensate Narayanan with ₹1Cr in 2001.
• Based on the NHRC's appeal, the Kerala High Court imposed a compensation of ten lakhs in 2012.
• Narayanan and his family suffered extreme mental cruelty during the espionage allegations, including effigy burning and verbal abuse.
• A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice DK Jain instructed the Kerala government to pay ₹50 lakhs as compensation for the mental cruelty and battle for his honor.
• After a lengthy legal battle, the Kerala government awarded Narayanan ₹1.3 crores as compensation.
• His autobiography, "Ormakalude Bhramanapatham," published on 23rd October 2017, revealed the ISRO espionage case and the third-degree torture endured by the accused
• In 2019, he received the prestigious Padma Bhushan honor from former President Ram Nath Kovind.

Conclusion 

Dr. Nambi Narayanan's life and career have been marked by significant achievements and profound challenges. As a prominent scientist in the Indian space program, he worked closely with renowned figures such as Satish Dhawan, Vikram Sarabhai, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and U.R. Rao, contributing to the advancement of rocket technology in India.