From farmer’s son to Chairman of ISRO: All about Dr.K.Shivan

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Kailasavadivoo Shivan, the 9^th Chairman of ISRO, a space scientist from Mela Sarakkalvilai village of Kanyakumari, Tamilnadu, born April 14 1957.

Shivan born to a farmer and growing up Sivan faced several problems to achieve his goals. K Sivan is the first graduate in the family and has been described as “self-made, studious and hard-working” student by those who saw him growing up.

K.Shivan joined the ISRO in 1982, after completing his master’s course in aerospace engineering from IISC Bengaluru.

His first project was PSLV (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle) and has worked in projects including GSLV, PSLV, and GSLV MkIII, and has been the project director of GSLV rocket.

After completing his Ph.D from IIT,Bombay, he received an honorary Doctorate in Science from Sathyabama University in the year 2014.

His passion towards his work made him receive too many awards including Shri Hari Om Ashram Prerit Dr Vikram Sarabhai Research Award in 1999, ISRO Merit Award in 2007, and Dr. Biren Roy Space Science Award in 2011.

K.Shivan recently received Tamil Nadu Government’s Dr.Abdul Kalam Award.

Before taking charge as the Chairman of ISRO, Sivan was working as the director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.

Being the ISRO Chairman, he also been appointed as the Secretary of Department of Space and Chairman of the Space Commission.

His work has also been instrumental in India setting a world record by launching 104 satellites with a single flight of PSLV in February 2017.

He is regarded as a workaholic, earning his nickname, “sleepless scientist”.