Ram Narain Agarwal Explained

Ram Narain Agarwal (1940 – 15 August 2024) was an Indian aerospace engineer, known for his contributions to the Agni series of surface-to-surface missiles.^[1] He is considered the 'father of the Agni series of missiles'.^[2]

Life and career

Agarwal was born to a family of traders in Jaipur, Rajasthan. He completed his masters in Aerospace engineering from Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. Agarwal has worked as Program Director (AGNI) and as Director Advanced Systems Laboratory of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).^[3]

Agarwal died on 15 August 2024, at the age of 84.^[4]

Awards

• Padma Shri (1990)^[5]
• Padma Bhushan (2000)^[6]
• Dr. Biren Roy Space Science Award (1990) from Aero Society of India
• Scientist of the Year Award (1993)
• DRDO Technology Leadership Award (1998)
• Chandrasekhar Saraswati National Eminence Award for Science (2000)
• Life Time Achievement Award (2004)

Notes and References

1. News: PM promises strict N-safeguards . Chandigarh . The Tribune . 18 May 2005 . 2012-03-26.
2. News: India will test-fire longest range missile: Natrajan . 17 May 2005 . 2020-04-25.
3. News: Chengappa . Raj . 8 August 2005 . Charioteer Of Fire . https://web.archive.org/web/20240721173138/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/defence/story/20050808-drdo-agni-missile-project-chief-rn-agarwal-retires-after-22-years-787312-2005-08-07 . 2024-07-21 . 2012-03-26 . India Today.
4. Web site: Somasekhar . M. . 2024-08-15 . India’s Agni Missile man, R N Agarwal passes away . 2024-08-15 . The Siasat Daily . en-US.
5. Web site: Padma Awards . Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India . 2015 . 21 July 2015.
6. Web site: Padma Awards . Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India . 2015 . 21 July 2015.