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A Distinguished Voice from India’s Space Frontier
Tapan Misra — distinguished scientist, former Director of ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC), and founder of the space-tech startup Sisir Radar — draws upon his decades-long journey at the heart of India’s space program to offer a compelling perspective on what truly shapes great scientific minds.
For almost ten years, Misra was integral to ISRO’s recruitment and human capital development. His roles spanned setting question papers for written examinations, serving as interview board member and chair, campus recruitment at IITs, and leading the overall recruitment process. As a senior leader and member of internal promotion committees, he closely observed the trajectories of scientists and engineers — those who thrived and those who faltered.
More Than Degrees: The True Ingredients of Success
It is not IITs or academic brilliance alone, but childhood influences that create future builders of institutions like ISRO. – Tapan Misra
While education at reputed institutions and strong academic performance provide a slight edge in career advancement, Misra insists that qualities like curiosity, discipline, ethical conduct, a quick grasp of concepts, and a genuine attitude towards work weigh far more heavily.
These attributes, he emphasizes, are neither inborn nor the products of colleges or competitive exams. They are cultivated in the early years — through family, surroundings, role models, and schoolteachers who ignite a child’s imagination.
A Childhood of Books, Curiosity, and Nature
Born into a large family where luxuries were few, Misra’s father gifted him a treasure trove of second-hand books, old Time magazines, National Geographic, and Span. Summers were spent binding serialised novels from Desh weekly and devouring their stories, opening a window to worlds past and present.
A defining memory came when his primary school teacher, Moynadi, burst into class on 21 July 1969, brandishing a front page of Anandabazar Patrika with the iconic footprint of humanity’s first step on the moon. That moment sparked in him a lifelong fascination with the universe beyond Earth.
Teachers Who Lit the Flame
From Baidyanath Babu’s exacting mathematics lessons to Amalendu Sir’s insistence on English grammar, RC Sir’s vivid storytelling about the Versailles Pact, and Mukulbabu’s challenging Bengali exams — each educator imparted discipline, resilience, and a passion for perfection.
His grandmother taught him to marvel at the slow, trail-leaving movement of snails and to spend hours observing tadpoles dart in pond water — lessons in patience and the quiet wonders of nature.
Small Lessons in Compassion
“Even the messiest menace can be handled with empathy.”
When a rat infestation hit their Ahmedabad home, Misra and his young son turned pest control into a humane morning ritual — releasing the trapped rodents into the green campuses of IIM, PRL, and ISRO. His son believed these creatures deserved a chance to grow in a reputed environment!
Their shared love for books led to daily visits to the Ramakrishna Mission bookshop, where they explored epics and Puranic stories together — rediscovering the values of India’s ancient civilization.
The Real Investment for Our Future
Misra’s message is clear: society should not obsess over elite institutions but focus on gifting children an inspiring, nature-connected, and value-rich childhood.
If India hopes to nurture citizens who will build new ISROs and institutions of excellence, it must invest significantly more in primary education than it does today — creating a destiny worthy of its future generations.
[This piece is motivated by Tapan Misra’s fb post]
Tapan Misra: Architect of India’s Radar Revolution
From ISRO’s Scientific Vanguard to Space-Tech Pioneer
A Stellar Trajectory at ISRO
Tapan Misra, born on 20 January 1961 in Rayagada, Odisha, secured the top rank in the West Bengal Joint Entrance Examination in 1980 and graduated from Jadavpur University in Electronics & Telecommunications in 1984. He joined ISRO’s Space Applications Centre (SAC) in Ahmedabad as a digital hardware engineer. Over the next decades, he spearheaded critical radar initiatives:
- Developed the Quick Look Display System for X‑band airborne radar.
- Led design of C‑band Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) for RISAT‑1 and high-resolution X‑band SAR for RISAT‑2.
- Served as SAC Director (2015–2018), followed by roles as PRL Director (2016–2017) and Senior Adviser to the ISRO Chairman until his retirement in January 2021.
- Honored with the Vikram Sarabhai Research Award in 2004 and ISRO Merit Award in 2008. Elected Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering and Corresponding Member of the International Academy of Astronautics.
“Anything that works is the right technology.”
— Tapan Misra on his pragmatic engineering ethos
Entrepreneurial Leap: Sisir Radar
In 2022, Dr. Misra co-founded Sisir Radar, named after radio‑physics pioneer Sisir K Mitra. The Kali startup, based in Kolkata, focuses on developing miniaturized, high-resolution L‑ and P‑band SAR systems for satellites and drones. It recently raised $1.5 million in seed funding to develop its world‑leading L‑band SAR satellite by 2026.
“Sisir Radar is honoured to showcase the world’s first and highest‑resolution L+P band SAR satellite.”
The venture aims to transform Earth observation—from agriculture monitoring to infrastructure surveillance—providing real-time, all-weather imaging even via low-altitude drones.
Legacy of Innovation & Leadership
Dr. Misra’s life embodies a rare blend of scientific brilliance, administrative acumen, and entrepreneurial spirit:
| Areas of Impact | Contributions |
|---|---|
| ISRO Program Leadership | Led microwave remote sensing systems, SAC, PRL, and ISRO innovation centre |
| Radar Technology Innovation | Designed multiple SAR platforms for satellites, airborne systems, and UAVs |
| Mentorship & Governance | Chaired CEOS, CGMS (2017–2018), and participated in Indo‑US space dialogues |
| Nurturing Commercial R&D | Launching disruptive SAR capabilities targeting terrestrial and aerial platforms |
What Sets Misra Apart
- Global SAR Expertise – Regarded as a global authority in imaging radar, he’s lauded as the “father of RISAT radar”.
- International Collaboration – His tenure as a guest scientist at the German Aerospace Agency (DLR) led to pioneering real-time SAR algorithms.
- Mission-First Mindset – “Anything that works…” underlines his pragmatic approach to technology.
- Visionary Entrepreneurship – Sisir Radar’s seed funding success reflects his ability to translate legacy technology into modern commercial applications.
Looking Ahead: A Radar‑Driven Future
Today, Tapan Misra continues to influence India’s space tech narrative—pushing boundaries from underwater to aerial radar applications. His journey from architecting SAR systems at ISRO to founding Sisir Radar highlights an enduring commitment to innovation, national capability, and knowledge-sharing.
As India strides toward autonomous crewed missions, high-resolution remote sensing, and drone-enabled smart monitoring, Misra’s legacy and leadership remain central to the country’s technological ascent.
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