The row over the Padma Bhushan award to Nambi Narayanan took a curious turn with a report that it was a BJP MP who recommended the former ISRO scientist's name for the prestigious honour
and not the state government.
The letter of recommendation was written by Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Chandrasekhar to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The chief minister's office confirmed that the state government had not recommended Nambi Narayanan's name for Padma Bhushan.
After Nambi Narayanan was picked for Padma Bhushan, former Kerala Police chief T.P. Senkumar said, "What is Nambi Narayanan's contribution to the nation? He took voluntary retirement way back in 1995."
Another controversy was triggered after noted writer Gita Mehta, who is also the elder sister of Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, declined to accept the Padma Shri award. Mehta said the timing of the award was questionable as the general election was set to take place and the award may cause embarrassment both to the Odisha government and her.
Glad my work finally recognised: Nambi Narayanan
From being a celebrated ISRO scientist to being branded a 'spy' and finally awarded with the Padma Bhushan, Nambi Narayanan said he was glad that his work in the Indian space arena was finally recognised.
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"My name became famous because of 'spying' charges. Now I am glad that my contribution has been recognised by the government," he told PTI over phone.
The former scientist had played a critical role in the development of Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle and in the initial phase of making cryogenic engines.
He, however, was embroiled in an espionage case in 1994. The case pertained to allegations of transfer of certain confidential documents on India's space programme to foreign countries by two scientists and four others, including two Maldivian women.
The case was first investigated by Kerala police and later handed over to the CBI, which found no espionage as was alleged to have taken place.
The case also had its political fallout with a section in the Congress targeting then chief minister late K. Karunakaran over the issue, that eventually led to his resignation.
Narayanan, the then director of cryogenic project at Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was arrested along with ISRO deputy director D. Sasikumaran and the Indian representative of a Russian space agency, K. Chandrasekhar. S.K. Sharma, a labour contractor and two Maldivian women—Fousiya Hasan and Rasheeda—were also arrested.
What followed was a long legal battle that ended last year with the Supreme Court clearing all charges against Narayanan and directing the Kerala government to give Rs 50 lakh compensation to the scientist.
The court also ordered a high-level probe into the action of the erring cops which had caused "tremendous harassment" and "immeasurable anguish" to Narayanan.
Looking back at the turn of events, the former scientist said they were "a part of life" and was glad that his contribution was finally recognised.
Praising the work of Narayanan, former ISRO chairman Madhavan Nair said, "He played a critical role in the development of PSLV, GSLV and is one of the pioneers in the the Liquid Propulsion System (LPS)."
Nair said the scientist was subjected to "severe torture" unheard of by the Kerala police, but Narayanan's efforts have finally been recognised by the government.
(With PTI inputs)
