Ayyagari Sambasiva Rao
Encyclopedia
Ayyagari Sambasiva Rao (popularly known as A.S.Rao) (1914–2003) was the founder of the Electronics Corporation of India Limited (ECIL) (Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
, India
).
Rao worked in close association with Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, and shared with them a strong confidence in the competence and potential of India's young scientists and technologists. The trio, along with another of India's luminaries in science, S Bhagavantham, lent great prestige to the Electronics Committee widely known as Bhabha Committee, which prepared for the Government of India a well-detailed in-depth study on electronics in India with recommendations on the development of this industry. The Bhabha Committee Report became India's first blue-print for the development of electronics industry and it bears the imprint of Rao's convictions and practical experience. The publication of this Report accelerated the move to establish ECIL, which was duly incorporated as a fully Government owned company on April 11, 1967, with Sarabhai as the Chairman of its first Board of Directors and Rao as the Managing Director. During the first ten years of its existence when Rao was at the helm, ECIL achieved a truly remarkable growth in terms of its product range, turnover, ancillaries and employment potential. While nurturing ECIL, Rao's experience and counsel were also available to the Government of India through his role as Member of the Electronics Commission constituted in 1971.
Recognition of his services to the nation has brought Rao many awards and honours:
Andhra Pradesh
Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...
, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
).
Rao worked in close association with Homi Bhabha and Vikram Sarabhai, and shared with them a strong confidence in the competence and potential of India's young scientists and technologists. The trio, along with another of India's luminaries in science, S Bhagavantham, lent great prestige to the Electronics Committee widely known as Bhabha Committee, which prepared for the Government of India a well-detailed in-depth study on electronics in India with recommendations on the development of this industry. The Bhabha Committee Report became India's first blue-print for the development of electronics industry and it bears the imprint of Rao's convictions and practical experience. The publication of this Report accelerated the move to establish ECIL, which was duly incorporated as a fully Government owned company on April 11, 1967, with Sarabhai as the Chairman of its first Board of Directors and Rao as the Managing Director. During the first ten years of its existence when Rao was at the helm, ECIL achieved a truly remarkable growth in terms of its product range, turnover, ancillaries and employment potential. While nurturing ECIL, Rao's experience and counsel were also available to the Government of India through his role as Member of the Electronics Commission constituted in 1971.
Awards and honours
Rao represented India at many international conferences on scientific development including UN conferences on peaceful uses of atomic energy. He also served on the editorial and advisory boards of many scientific journals including many international journals of repute.Recognition of his services to the nation has brought Rao many awards and honours:
- Padma ShriPadma ShriPadma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
Award in 1960, - Shanti Swaroop Bhatnagar Award for Engineering Sciences in 1965,
- Doctor of Science degree, honoris causa, from Andhra UniversityAndhra UniversityAndhra University or Andhra Viswa Kala Parishad , located in Visakhapatnam, north east coastal Andhra Pradesh, is one of the older premier universities in India with a broad focus...
in 1969, - Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
in 1972, - Fellow of Indian Academy of SciencesIndian Academy of SciencesThe Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore was founded by Sir C. V. Raman, and was registered as a Society on 24 April 1934. Inaugurated on 31 July 1934, it began with 65 founding fellows. The first general meeting of Fellows, held on the same day, elected Professor Raman as President, and adopted...
in 1974, - FICCI Award for outstanding achievement in Engineering in 1976, *National design Award from Institution of Engineers (India) in 1977,
- Outstanding Scientist Award from A.P. Academy of Science in 1988, Prof.
- Nayudamma Memorial Gold Medal in 1989.
- A.S.Rao Nagar(near ECIL) in Secunderabad was named in his honour.