Pradeep Kurulkar is an Indian scientist and engineer who has worked on several projects with the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO), India’s premier defense research agency. He came into limelight in May 2023 when the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police arrested him in Pune on charges of espionage.
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Wiki/Biography
Pradeep M. Kurulkar was born on Tuesday, 19 November 1963 (age 59 years; as in 2022) in Pune, Maharashtra, India. Their zodiac sign is Scorpio. After completing his schooling in Pune, Kurulkar joined the College of Engineering Pune (COEP) Technological University in Pune, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from 1981 to 1985. He completed his graduation with distinction. Later, he attended the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur), where he pursued a degree in advanced power electronics coursework, choosing to specialize in drives and applications.
Physical Appearance
Height (Approx): 5′ 8″
Hair Color: Salt and Pepper
Eye colour: dark brown
Family
Pradeep Kurulkar was born in a Maharashtrian Hindu family.
parents and siblings
There is not much information about his parents and siblings.
A photo of Pradeep Kurulkar with his parents
wife and children
His wife Bharati Kurulkar is a doctor. His son Keyur Kurulkar is an engineer and musician.
A picture of Pradeep Kurulkar with his wife Bharti Kurulkar
A photo of Keyur Kurulkar
livelihood
D R d o
Pradeep Kurulkar started his career as a scientist at DRDO’s Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE) in Pune in 1988. There, Kurulkar gained expertise in the design and development of missile launchers, military engineering equipment, advanced robotics and mobile unmanned systems for military applications. Later, he became a part of DRDO’s Akash surface-to-air missile project as a project leader and system manager.
A photo of the Akash surface-to-air missile being fired
Pradeep also played a key role as Project Director in the design and development of rail and road-based variants of the Agni Intercontinental Ballistic Missile; He worked with Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam on this project. He has also led several DRDO projects such as Missile Launcher for Program AD, Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles (MRSAM), Nirbhay Subsonic Cruise Missile System, Prahar Missile, Quick Reaction Surface to Air Missile. missile (QRSAM), XRSAM (Extra-Long Range Surface-to-Air Missile), hyperbaric chamber and mobile power supply, and high-pressure pneumatic systems as a team leader and lead designer.
A photograph of the Nirbhay missile taken during testing by the armed forces
Subsequently, he was appointed as ‘F’ Grade Scientist in the ADS Group at the Research and Development Establishment (Engineering) in Pune. He also played a key role in designing India’s first anti-satellite missile Shakti, which was successfully test-fired on 27 March 2019. Later, he was appointed as the Director of Research and Development Establishment (Engineering). Under his leadership, R&DE has developed high performance high power servo drive technology, platform stabilization technology, AFPM based alternator technology, VSCF based power source technology, electric propulsion technology, missile canister technology, autonomous navigation technology for small UGVs, intelligent robotics for dangerous Worked on manipulators. military applications, and linear electric motor technology. Kurulkar was scheduled to retire from DRDO in November 2023, but was arrested in May 2023.
research work
Throughout his career, Pradeep Kurulkar has written several research articles for many national and international journals, such as Hall Sensor Fault Detection and Fault Tolerant Control of PMSM Drive System in July 2015, Sensorless Field Oriented Control of PMSM using TMS320F2812 Implementation issues for Sliding Mode Observer. In June 2016, Power Supply Systems for Defense Applications A Review Part-I: Gensets and Power Supply Systems for Defense Applications A Review Part-II Power Conditioner Systems, and more in December 2017.
Controversy
ATS arrested on charges of espionage
On 3 May 2023, following a complaint filed by a high-ranking officer of DRDO’s Vigilance and Security Department, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Maharashtra Police arrested him on charges of passing sensitive information to Pakistan through its intelligence agency PIO. Pradeep Kurulkar arrested in Pune. Complaint against him. According to the ATS, Kurulkar was honey-trapped by a Pakistani woman who told her military secrets through WhatsApp messages and video calls. Disclosing more details, the ATS said that Pradeep came in contact with the Pakistani agent in early 2022 after being lured by the agent through social media, following which the agent threatened Pradeep to release his personal photos and chats. Blackmailed by giving. A case was registered against Kurulkar under the Official Secrets Act of 1923. ATS said in its official statement,
While performing his official duties, he was found to be in contact with Pakistan Intelligence Agency (PIO) operatives through WhatsApp messages and voice and video calls. Despite holding a responsible post, the DRDO officer has misused his position and compromised sensitive government secrets, which could pose a threat to the security of India if it falls into the hands of any enemy country. Despite knowing that the official secrets in his possession could pose a threat to the country’s security if obtained by the enemy country, he provided the details to the enemy country. A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Official Secrets Act (OSA) by the Kalachowki unit of ATS in Mumbai. “Further investigation is underway.”
The ATS later seized his electronic devices to ascertain the extent to which Pradeep had given information to Pakistani intelligence.
#Watch , DRDO espionage case: Accused DRDO scientist Pradeep Kurulkar was brought to ATS office in Pune for investigation.
(ATS sources confirm identity of accused) https://t.co/nag1KoWP3F pic.twitter.com/qtJ2hQ87uu
– ANI (@ANI) 5 May 2023
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- Pradeep Kurulkar received the Science Day Award in 2000.
- In 2002, for his vital role in the Agni missile project, he won the DRDO Agni Award for Excellence in Self-Reliance.
- In 2008, Pradeep Kurulkar was awarded the DRDO Award for Leading Research/Outstanding Technology Development, for leading the development of the Akash missile system.
- In 2016, he won the DRDO Award for Performance Excellence for his work on the MRSAM project.
- In the same year, Pradeep Kurulkar received the Technology Excellence Award from DEMA.
- He is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers (India).
- In January 2023, Ajinkya DY Patil University (ADYPU) conferred an honorary D.Litt degree on Pradeep Kurulkar.
A photo of Pradeep Kurulkar receiving his D.Litt in January 2023
Salary
As an H grade scientist, also known as an outstanding scientist, Pradeep Kurulkar received a salary of Rs. Rs.1,82,200 + other allowances as per 7th Pay Commission.
Facts/General Knowledge
- Pradeep Kurulkar is a member of the Fluid Power Society of India (FPSI) and the Robotics Society of India. He is also a life member of the Indian National Society for Aerospace and Related Mechanisms (INSARM) and the Institute of Smart Structures and Systems (ISSS).
- Pradeep Kurulkar has been invited to give motivational speeches on various occasions.
A picture of Pradeep Kurulkar was taken when he was giving a motivational speech at an event
Categories: Biography
Source: vcmp.edu.vn