Visionaries  Who Shaped Modern India

By Priyanka Mehta

August 14, 2022

Jawaharlal Nehru

First Prime Minister of Independent India, Jawaharlal Nehru brought a vision to life; he started new learning ventures and encouraged development with Science. During his tenure, he shaped India and held together a nation that many believed could not last.

First Prime Minister of Free India

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Raj Reddy

A.M. Turing award-winning computer scientist Raj Reddy is one of the brightest Indian minds who brought Artificial Intelligence to life. His work has led to the innovation of AI systems we use today, such as Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri and more.

Indian Behind Today’s AI

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Vinod Dham

An engineer, venture capitalist and entrepreneur, Vinod Dham, shared the innovation of Intel's Pentium microprocessor. Popularly known as 'Father of the Pentium Chip,' he associates with advisory board members for Indo-US Venture Partners.

Father of the Pentium Chip

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Chandra Kumar Naranbhai Patel

The man behind the heavy-duty laser, Chandra Kumar Patel is an electrical engineer. He invented the advanced Carbon Dioxide laser in 1963, which is still a popular industrial item for cutting and welding. He holds 36 patents connecting to lasers and their applications.

Inventor of Carbon Dioxide Laser

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Chewang Norphel

Civil engineer, Chewang Norphel built 15 artificial glaciers to get water supply in Ladakh. The efforts increased agricultural productivity, hence the socio-economic status of people around. His engineering techniques inspired people to make everything available, even in the driest regions on Earth.

Ice Man of India

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Homi J. Bhabha

Scientist Homi Jehangir Bhabha played an important role in Quantum Theory. His key role to start the ambitious nuclear programme inspired the production of an atomic reactor to lessen India's misery and poverty.

Father of Indian Nuclear Programme

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Vikram Sarabhai

Vikram Sarabhai was a key scientist behind the launch of India’s first satellite, ‘Aryabhatta.’ He researched cosmic rays and was the father of INCOSPAR, now known as Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

Father of Indian Space Program

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Dr. Rani Bang

Gynaecologist, Dr. Bang, with her husband have been working with one of the most under-developed tribal communities in central India. She set up the Society for Education, other agencies to bring modern medicine in tribal villages..

Educated Tribal Regions about Modern Medicine 

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APJ Abdul Kalam

One of India's most loved Presidents, Kalam played a crucial role in developing India's missile and nuclear weapons programs. He developed the Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV 3) at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, which put the satellite Rohini into orbit.

Missile Man of India

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Elattuvalapil Sreedharan

Civil engineer Sreedharan revolutionised and modernised public transportation in India. He was the MD at Delhi Metro Rail Corporation. His Railway Minister's award for restoring a bridge within 46 days instead of 3 months was remarkable.

Metro Man of India

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Kiran Bedi

Kiran Bedi has served the nation as a social activist and the is the first woman IPS officer. Bedi is most popularly known for pathbreaking steps she took under prison reforms, including legal advocacy in the country. She is credited for reducing the crimes against women in West Delhi during her service.

Police Chief with a Difference

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Satish Dhawan

An Indian mathematician and aerospace engineer, Dhawan was an eminent researcher in turbulence and boundary layers. This led to the successful and indigenous development of the Indian space programme. He was the third successor as Chairman of Indian Space Research Centre (ISRO).

Father of Experimental Fluid Dynamics Research

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M. Visveswaraya

Pioneer of Indian engineering, Visveswaraya is a notable engineer, known for developing block irrigation systems. He created an efficient way to filter water through ‘collector wells.’ He was responsible for building dams across the country.

Engineer of Modern India

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Har Gobind Khorana

Indian-American biochemist, Har Gobind Khorana won the 1968 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his study on how nucleotides order in nucleic acids control the cell's synthesis of proteins. He's also the first to synthesise an artificial gene in a living cell, inspiring foundation for biotechnology and gene therapy research.

Inspired Biotechnology & Gene Therapy

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