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Dr. Pillai
joined Defence Research & Development Organization
(DRDO) in 1986 in the Integrated Guided Missile
Development Programme (IGMDP) at Hyderabad under
the leadership of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. He played a
key role, introduced innovative management systems
and made significant contribution for the
development of Agni, Prithvi, Nag, Trishul & Akash
Missiles, as Programme Director of IGMDP. He was
also Associate Director, DRDL. His most important
contribution to missile programme was the
development of critical technologies, using network
of academic institutions, R&D laboratories and
industries through consortium approach and
technology empowerment. He also led to development
of many societal products as spin offs from missile
technologies.
He was appointed as Chief
Controller (Research & Development) at DRDO HQrs at
New Delhi in 1996, responsible for missile
technologies & projects, ranges naval systems and
certain international collaborations. Dr. Pillai
became Distinguished Scientist from September 1999
Dr. Pillai
is also Chief Executive Officer and Managing
Director of the Indo-Russian Joint Venture BrahMos
Aerospace responsible for design, development,
production and marketing of the most advanced
BRAHMOS-Supersonic Cruise Missile. BrahMos is the
world leader in the cruise missile family. Dr.
Pillai’s leadership to the BrahMos has yielded
excellent results. After successful trials BrahMos
system has been inducted by the Indian Navy and by
the Army.
Dr.
Pillai has published many papers in the
international and national journals and
conferences, and also chaired many international
conference sessions. The book titled
“Envisioning an Empowered Nation” is authored
by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam and co-authored by Dr.
Pillai. He has published a book titled
“Technology Leadership – A Revolution in the
Making” defining the future visionary leaders.
Recently, he also published one more book titled ‘Ocean
Warfare – The Technology Waves’. He is a
recipient of various awards including DRDO
Scientist of the year (1988), Hari Om Ashram
Prerit Vikram Sarabhai Research Award
(1991), Dr. Davidson Frame Award for Project
Leadership from University of Technology &
Management, USA in 2001 and Padmashri
from Government of India in 2002.
In
Jan 2003, Dr. Pillai received an award for
outstanding contribution & achievement in the
international sphere of dedicated service,
co-operation, development & peace by OISCA
(Organization for Industrial, Spiritual & Cultural
Advancement) International, Japan. Dr. Pillai &
his team received the “Performance Excellence
Award of DRDO” in 2005 for BrahMos and Raja Rammohan Puraskar 2006 for his
outstanding contributions in Aerospace.
He
has received honorary degrees of Doctor of
Science (Honoris Causa) from Andhra University, The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University,
Sathyabama University of Science and Technology, Avinashilingam
Institute of Higher Education for Women,
Pravara Rural University and Bharathiar University.
He
was awarded with the Doctorate HONORIS CAUSA
degree from the Scientific Council of St.
Petersburg State Marine Technical University, Russia
for outstanding achievements in the development of
special purpose techniques for naval applications.
The Moscow University of “Security, Defence
and Law Enforcement” honoured Dr. A. Sivathanu
Pillai with the Order of the Peter the Great
and the Academician of the
University.
In
August 2007, he got “Lokmanya Tilak Award”
for the contributions to missile projects. He is
also recipient of ‘Dr.
Y. Nayudamma Memorial Award’ for
his outstanding contributions in defence research
and development.
Dr. Pillai
is a Fellow of the Indian
National Academy of Engineering, Astronautical
Society of India,
Honorary Fellow of the Association of Minimal
Access Surgeons of India (FAMS) and Honorary
IPMA Fellowship for Project Leadership. He is a
member in many Professional Societies – IEEE,
Aeronautical Society of India (AeSI), Instrument
Society of India and International Association
of Business Leaders (USA). He has visited and
interacted with scientific & technological
organizations in more than thirty countries. |