Pioneer of Remote Sensing in India | Renowned Meteorologist (1909 – 2002)
Prof. P. R. Pisharoty was a distinguished meteorologist of international repute, widely acknowledged as the pioneer who introduced remote sensing technology in India. A disciple of Nobel Laureate Prof. C. V. Raman, he played a pivotal role in advancing meteorological and atmospheric sciences in the country.
Early Life and Education
Born on 10 February 1909 to Kollankott Perum Trikkovil Pisharath Lakshmi Pisharasiar and Gopala Vadhyar in Kerala, Prof. Pisharoty completed his early education in the state. He went on to earn a B.A. (Honours) in Physics from St. Joseph’s College, Trichinopoly, then part of the Madras Presidency, and an M.A. in Physics from Madras University.
Between 1932 and 1941, he worked as a college lecturer in Physics in Chennai, while spending his summers conducting research under Prof. C. V. Raman at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
Career in Meteorology
In 1942, upon Prof. Raman’s recommendation, Pisharoty joined the India Meteorological Department (IMD), where he carried out significant research on:
- Thunderstorms
- Western disturbances
- Movement of monsoon depressions
- Orographic rainfall
He later pursued advanced studies at the University of California, working under renowned meteorologist Jacob Bjerknes. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. in Meteorology by 1954, publishing important reports on atmospheric dynamics.
Pioneering Contributions and Leadership Roles
Prof. Pisharoty held several key scientific and administrative roles:
- Founder Director, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM)
- Founder Director, National Physical Research Laboratory (Ahmedabad)
- Founder Director, National Remote Sensing Agency
- Director, Remote Sensing and Satellite Meteorology at ISRO’s Space Applications Centre, Ahmedabad (1972–75)
He was also actively involved in international meteorological research:
- Chairman, Scientific Advisory Board, World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
- Vice-President, International Association of Meteorology and Atmospheric Sciences
- Member, Joint Organising Committee, Global Atmospheric Research Programme (1969–1977)
Publications
Prof. Pisharoty authored several works, including:
- X-Ray
- Monsoon
- Biography of Dr. C. V. Raman
Awards and Honors
- 1957 – Fellow, Indian Academy of Sciences
- 1970 – Padma Shri, Government of India
- 1978 – Fellow, Indian National Science Academy
- 1988 – First recipient, Raman Centenary Medal
- 1989 – IMO Prize, awarded by WMO
- 1990 – K. R. Ramanathan Medal, INSA
Legacy
Prof. Pisharoty worked at the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) until the early 1990s, retiring due to health reasons. He passed away on 24 September 2002 in Pune at the age of 93.
In his memory:
- The Indian Society of Remote Sensing renamed its highest honor the P. R. Pisharoty Memorial Award.
- The GPS Radiosonde developed by ISRO’s Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre is named after him.
Family
- Wife: Droupadi Pisharasiar, Thonnangamath Pisharam, Thrissur
- Children:
- Rema Pisharoty
- Narayan Pisharoty
- Jaya Pisharoty
