| 6th Director General ofDefence research and development organisation | |
|---|---|
| In office 1982-1992 | |
| Preceded by | Raja Ramanna |
| Succeeded by | APJ Abdul Kalam |
Vallampadugai Srinivasa Raghavan Arunachalam (10 November 1935 – 16 August 2023) was an Indian scientist and former head of theDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). He was the founder and chairman of theCenter for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a science and technologythink tank.
Arunachalam was born on 10 November 1935.[1] He held bachelor's and master's degrees in science and received his PhD degree inmaterials science and engineering from theUniversity of Wales, in 1965. He was also alumnus of Sharada Vilas College Mysuru.[citation needed]
Arunachalam worked as a scientist at theBhabha Atomic Research Centre,National Aeronautical Laboratory inBangalore, andDefence Metallurgical Research Laboratory inHyderabad. He was the head of theDefence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) for about ten years in the 1980s.[2] During his tenure the budget of DRDO increased eightfold, and he is credited with being able to get over both bureaucratic and financial hurdles.[3] He initiated major defence projects like the Light Combat Aircraft and the Integrated Guided Missiles programmes.
Arunachalam served as defence scientific advisor to theDefence Minister of India between 1982 and 1992, serving ten defence ministers and fiveprime ministers,[4] and as secretary, Department of Defence Research for theGovernment of India.[5] He advised the government on the definition, assessment and review of a number of major technological and societal programs such as optical fiber communications for India, development of indigenous iron and steel technologies, scientific and technological missions for the country to eradicate illiteracy, infant mortality etc. He also advised the government in the area of graduate education in engineering.[6]
Arunachalam was a collaborating professor of engineering and public policy at theCarnegie Mellon University,[7] and an honorary professor at the UK'sUniversity of Warwick. He was a member of theDefence Research & Development Service (DRDS).
Arunachalam received numerous awards and medals, including theShanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize for Science and Technology in Engineering Science in 1980. He was the first Indian to be elected as a Fellow of theRoyal Academy of Engineering, UK.[5]
Arunachalam was conferred thePadma Bhushan in 1985 and thePadma Vibhushan 1990 for his contribution to Indian science.[8] In 2015, he was awarded DRDO') lifetime achievement award for his outstanding contribution in the field of scientific research and technology.[9]
Arunachalam died in California on 16 August 2023, at the age of 87.[10][11]
