Thakur Sudesh Kumar Raunija is an alumni of IITD, prominent scentist of ISRO and staunch worker of RSS who was born in Gautam Budh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. He is popularly known as Dr Thakur SKR. In scientific world, he is cited and abbreviated as TSK RAUNIJA. Dr Thakur SKR was brought up at Gautam Budh Nagar and Faridabad. He did his Primary Schooling from Gautam Budh Nagar, and completed his Matriculation and Senior Secondary Schooling from Faridabad. He got his chemical engineering in 2008. In September, 2008, immediately after completion of his engineering, he joined Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre of Indian Space Research Organisation. Later in 2017, he received his PhD in chemical engineering. He was, initially, given the responsibility of developing Carbon and Ceramic products for satellites and launch vehicles. Within few years of his joining, he devised several novel materials, equipments, and rapid & cost effective processes for the manufacturing of C/C and C/SiC composites. His keen interest in propulsion systems brought him close to solid and nuclear propellants.
In June, 2013, Dr Thakur SKR was given the responsibility to lead Carbon and Ceramic activities in Materials and Mechanical Entity of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and till February 2017, he led a strong team of six personnel to accomplish the demand of various carbon and ceramic materials of various projects of Indian Space Research Organisation. He worked on the development of short carbon fiber reinforced carbon, ceramic and metal composites, ablative systems, carbon fibers, carbon matrix precursors, propellants, activated carbons, metal-ceramic coatings, ceramic coatings, thermal protection systems, joining of dissimilar materials etc., for the stringent need of Indian Space Research Organisation. During his tenure of 9 years at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, he developed 7 products (C/C Vanes, C/C Fasteners, C/C Bipolar Plate, C/SiC boundary layer splitter, C/SiC strut leading edge, Carbon Fabric, and M-C coatings) and led foundation of several other products for satellites and launch vehicles. Dr Thakur SKR also designed and developed two processing and characterization equipments (fiber milling equipment for fine chopping/milling of continuous fibers and permeability testing equipment for composite materials).
In February 2017, Dr Thakur SKR was promoted and transferred to newly acquired Semi-Conductor Laboratory of Department of Space to lead VLSI fabrication for Indian Space Programme. He was designated as Head, CMP Area. Since then, he is leading production of VLSI and MEMS based devices, R&D of new technologies and indigenization of materials & chemicals for semi-conductor application. Later in 2019, Dr Thakur SKR was designated as Dy. Head of newly carved VFD Quality Control Division in Semi-Conductor Laboratory.
He is guiding several PhD students in the area of materials, chemicals and VLSI & MEMS fabrication. He has 51 papers in international journals and conferences. Dr Thakur SKR has given numerous invited talks in IITs, NITs, Central Universities, Colleges and Schools. He has filed 10 patents wherein 4 patents are granted till 2021.
In his free time, Dr Thakur SKR writes poems, stories, novels, lyrics and articles. He also acts, directs and produces documentary movies on social issues. He does modeling for raising funds for social cause, teaches yoga to the society for healthy living, runs marathons for health awareness, and delivers lectures on variety of topics like stress management, time management, business management, relationship management, success, motivation, career guidance, national topics, societal topics and technical topics. Dr Thakur SKR has designed his own lecture series titled GetSetLive Series. Interacting with ignited minds is his best time pass.
Additionally, Dr Thakur SKR is advising various start-ups in the fields of organic farming, electric vehicles, aerospace, semi-conductor & electronics, batteries & fuel cells, digitalization and IT. Jaivikam, Greenleaf, Organo Bites Inc, Kisaan Cold Stores Pvt Ltd, HSP Cold Stores Pvt Ltd, Ignited Minds, Tredul Inc, Next Planet Inc, etc., are some of the prominent start-ups whose advisor is Dr Thakur SKR. Dr Thakur SKR is also leading and advising socio-educational initiatives like Sarvhitkari Educational Society, Vidya Bharati, North Region, etc. Presently, Dr Thakur is enjoying his profession and living his passion in SAS Nagar (Mohali).