GK Pillai, MD & CEO, Walchandnagar Industries Ltd (WIL) has said that India stands at the threshold of a promising new decade thanks to the government's strong focus on infrastructure and industry.

Pillai was delivering the prestigious Dr Vikram Sarabhai memorial lecture at the VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram on the occasion of Dr Vikram A Sarabhai's 95th birth anniversary. He said that the new government's intentions were clearly reflected in the budget announcement and hoped that it would be extremely supportive of the ambitious space programs.

Pillai commenced his speech by paying a tribute to Dr Vikram Sarabhai calling him a rare combination of innovator, industrialist and visionary. Highlighting the great scientist's grit to convert ideas and passion into reality, Pillai admired Dr Sarabhai's vision of realising India's potential for indigenous space programs.

He went on to compare Dr Sarabhai with Seth Walchand Hirachand, a visionary who gave India air, sea and road transport in the form of Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd, Premier Automobiles Ltd and Hindustan Shipyard.

Pillai further highlighted that India's advanced space program has put the country in an elite global group of 5-6 countries today. It is these space programs that give a boost to other industries, thus leading to overall development of the nation.

Talking about ISRO's accomplishments, he lauded ISRO's contribution since its inception and stated that WIL was proud to be associated with ISRO for over four decades. He thanked VSSC for ‘holding WIL's hand', and coaching WIL to achieve their requirement.
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