S. Nambi Narayanan is an Indian scientist. As a senior official at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he was in-charge of the cryogenics division. he was heading a team working on Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) project. Narayanan introduced the liquid fuel rocket technology in India in the early 1970s, when A. P. J. Abdul Kalam’s team was working on solid motors. He foresaw the need for liquid fuelled engines for ISRO’s future civilian space programmes. He was encouraged by the then ISRO chairman Satish Dhawan, and his successor U.R. Rao.
During 1990s ISRO was very successful in launching (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) PSLVs. It was when India decided to work on GSLV as there are various added advantages of using GSLV over PSLV.
Following is a small comparison of PSLV and GSLV (Roughly General Idea):
- PSLV can carry about 1800 Kg lift off mass while GSLV can carry about 2500Kg lift off mass.
- PSLV can go 600-900 Km altitude. (Range) GSLV can go 36000 Km altitude. (Range)
So, early 1990s ISRO had formed a team to work with dedication on GSLV and Nambi Narayanan was heading this team. India had signed an agreement with Russia for transfer of technology to develop cryogenic-based fuels soThis ISRO team was working with a team from Russia Scientist, who came to India for helping ISRO with advanced space technology . As always, US was against this as it didn’t want India to excel in this “Elite” field (As per NewYork Times). The then US president George Bush even wrote a letter to Russia objecting this collaboration. To bypass this monopoly, India signed a new agreement with Russia to fabricate four cryogenic engines after floating a global tender without a formal transfer of technology.
India and Russia did not listen the USA so USA started its dirty games. In 1994, CIA put espionage allegations on Narayanan and his team. It compelled the Indian Government (Congress Govt.) to charge and arrest the team scientists and Kerala Police arrested him under Official Secrets Act. In the mean time Third Degree Torture given by IB Officials to ISRO Scientist.
I welcome the SC Orders on the Rocket Scientist Nambi Narayanan. He was a victim of the international jealousy against India’s capability to produce world’s cheapest satellite launching rocket launchers. Shame on UPA
— Subramanian Swamy (@Swamy39) September 14, 2018
Kerala Police charged Narayanan and the team. He was kept in jail for 50 days, the Russia team went back and the project got delayed. The Intelligence Bureau (IB) assisted the Kerala Police & SIT formed by Supreme Court. Narayanan many time has accused IB of subjecting him to extreme physical and mental torture.
Because of these false accusations, the GSLV project got delayed by around ONE decade. ISRO could succeed in GSLV 7-8 years before. You can imagine the importance by just this that GSLV will be used for Manned Space mission(Gaganyaan), Chandrayaan-2, Sun Mission (Aditya) and many other space missions which require satellites to be launched at higher altitude.
The forgers who fabricated the case against Nambi not only ruined him but also stopped the Cryogenic engine development in international conspiracy to stop India. https://t.co/twiMA54Wi6
— S Gurumurthy (@sgurumurthy) September 14, 2018
After that CBI started investigation and found no substance in the case and dismissed the charges in 1996, same was done by the Supreme Court in 1998. But it damaged the reputation and career of Narayanan and others.
Finally, today In 2018, the Supreme Court through the bench of Dipak Misra awarded a compensation of 50 lakhs to Nambi Narayan, to be recovered from the police officers who had framed him falsely and tortured him. Misra said, that “Even if those police officers have to sell their house, we’re not concerned”. Fact remains It took 20 Years to Deliver Justice.
24 years after he was falsely arrested by the Kerala police in the sensational ISRO Espionage Case, Nambi Narayanan, one of India’s top rocket scientists was awarded a compensation of Rs 50 lakhs by the Supreme Court.https://t.co/UDJYAi2SDj
— Indiatimes (@indiatimes) September 14, 2018
I must say that Sibi Mathews is fairly even-handed; on one hand he got Nambi Narayanan arrested; on the other he declared P.J. Kurian innocent. Coincidentally these actions benefitted a group in Cong – shockingly revealing how deeply political was Kerala Police.
— N.S. Madhavan (@NSMlive) September 14, 2018
‘”Justice Delayed Is Justice Denied” ..
Now A MP of Rajyasabha from Karnataka, Rajeev Chandrasekhar has demanded Padma award of S. Nambi Narayanan.He argued Prime Mininster Narendra modi to reward former Isro scientist S. Nambi Narayanan with the honour of Padma award. He wrote a letter to Pm and said, “The abuse and humiliation faced by S. Nambi Narayanan, cant be restored by giving compensation of Rs. 50 Lakhs ”
Honour ISRO Scientist Nambi Narayan,restore his dignity, MP @rajeev_mp urges PM @narendramodi
Hope @PMOIndia accepts this idea & felicitates the distinguished scientist & reach out to scientific community,public who are angry with how Nambi Narayan was humiliated. @AmitShah pic.twitter.com/IXyUzAPu2u
— Anand Vijayender (@Anand_Bangalore) October 1, 2018
A dignified and accomplished man #NambiNarayanan whose career was destroyed like so many because of the @INCIndia era type political conspiracies n lack of protectn/support to even our best minds n brain 😡😏😢 https://t.co/kGa98HZAjS
— Rajeev Chandrasekhar (@rajeev_mp) October 1, 2018
Finally Falsely framed, one of india’s best brains in field of Atomic energy R. Nambi Narayanan given PadmaBhushan for his contribution in cryogenics project.
In a great move at at least some restitution , scientist Nambi Narayanan, in charge of cryogenics project for HoI, falsely accused and later acquitted of espionage has been awarded a #PadmaBhushan #PadmaAwards . Well done indeed!
— Nistula Hebbar (@nistula) January 25, 2019
President Ram Nath Kovind confers Padma Bhushan award upon ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan.
Delhi: President Ram Nath Kovind confers Padma Bhushan award upon ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan. #PadmaAwards pic.twitter.com/4Ibrf3F8NQ
— ANI (@ANI) March 16, 2019