Delivering a lecture at NAL in December 1997

Dr P Nilakantan
Dr S R Valluri
Professor R Narasimha
Dr K N Raju
Professor Satish Dhawan
Dr R A Mashelkar
Dr PRamamoorthy
Prof U R Rao
Dr B R Somashekar
Mr K Venkatachalam
Dr K S Yajnik
Dr M V V Murthy
Dr A C Raghuram
Dr Indira Rajagopal
Dr S Srinathkumar
Dr M Shivakumara Swamy
Dr S Nagabhushana
Dr J P Pichamuthu
Dr Srinivas Bhogle

Professor Rao not only gave our nation its satellites, he also gave us our pride.

Prof U R Rao
Citation read out at the special NAL Foundation Day function held on 18 Jul 1997

National Aerospace Laboratories is privileged to honour Professor Udipi Ramachandra Rao at today's Special Foundation Day Function to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Indian Independence.

As Chairman, Space Commission and Secretary, Department of Space, Professor Rao imparted unprecedented acceleration to the development of satellite and launch vehicle technologies in India. He worked tirelessly to utilise the benefits of space technology for the welfare of the country. He masterminded the INSAT programme which triggered off India's information revolution. India's esteem in the international space community also soared to great heights under Professor Rao's dynamic leadership.

Professor Rao has had a long and fruitful association spanning over two decades with NAL, and as Chairman of NAL's Research Council he continues to play a vital role in guiding the destiny of these Laboratories.

NAL has great pleasure in acknowledging the monumental contributions of this remarkable individual. Professor Rao not only gave our nation its satellites, he also gave us our pride.