“Poor is the nation that has no heroes, but poorer still is the nation that, having heroes, fails to remember and honor them.”
This is a story of a true patriot and a scientist, who transformed Rocket Science in India but was turned into a traitor by the broken system.
As we approach Independence day, let’s hear a story of a true patriot. A tale of a legend who dared to dream dared to give up the most lucrative job, dared to challenge stereotypes, and dared to challenge the system for its betterment. The legend had the vision to see Bharat at the zenith of space technology and research in the world and he worked his heart out for it. But, what did he get in return? False accusations and public antagonism?
PSLV, GSLV, and GSLV Mark 3, all three of India’s operational spacefaring rockets have one technical feature in common – all of them are powered by the ‘Vikas’ Engine. The liquid-fuelled Vikas Engine is a mainstay of all Indian rockets and continues to do so, till date.
He was the father of Vikas engine, still the workhorse liquid engine of PSLV and GSLV. The man behind all the success, Narayanan, was heading the cryogenics division and leading the development of liquid technology, which was a key technology in rocket propulsion. But something happened, out of nowhere, he was arrested in December 1994 in the infamous ISRO espionage case.
Over the next few months, his dignity and reputation were torn to shreds. He was charged with violating India’s official secrets law and corruption, among other things.
His interrogators beat him up and handcuffed him to a bed. They forced him to stand and answer questions for 30 hours on end. They made him take lie-detector tests even though the results are not admitted as evidence in an Indian court.
In 1996, the CBI (Central Bureau of Investigation) investigated the matter and concluded that there was no evidence that proved Nambi Narayanan was accused and said that the case was false. The court accepted the report and discharged all accused.
It was evident that India would not have reached where it is now at least a decade ago if he was involved.
The country redeemed herself of guilt, to some extent, a quarter of a century after the destruction of the bright career of famed rocket engine designer, Shri S Nambi Narayanan. He was falsely accused of betraying our country in the infamous ISRO spy scandal of 1994. He was awarded Padma Bhushan very recently.
The story of Nambi Narayanan is a lesson for today’s generations on how not to treat our real heroes.
Rocketry is a must-watch for its honest storytelling, and R. Madhavan has successfully and very skillfully shown Nambi Narayanan in its true essence. Go, watch this movie. It’s worth your time and attention.
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