Sitaram Rao Valluri (1924–2019)

On 23 January 2019, the Indian scientific community lost Dr S. R. Valluri, former Director of the (then) National Aeronautical Laboratory (NAL) and Director- General (DG) of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Bengaluru. Seldom does an outstanding young researcher morph into an institutionbuilder, manager and formulator of administrative policy, whose legacy will continue to be cherished and admired by future generations. Most would agree that Valluri was indeed an exceptional leader. The few who may hesitate, would have to admire the resoluteness of a young engineering student who decided he would ‘go to the US for further studies, and return to head a research institution here’. As mentioned in his memoirs, that is precisely what young Valluri resolved to do into his third year as an engineering student of Banaras Hindu University (BHU), Varanasi.