"The purpose of our lives is to give birth to the best which is within us," and Dr. Balraj Sokkappa quite literally lived his life focusing on and sharing his best witht the world at large. This renowned scientist, strong, spry and simple left behind an inspiring legacy of charity that few can match. Here was a gentleman for whom 'giving' was a way of life! An eminent scientist, Dr. Sokkappa, in the words of his nephew-in-law, Mr. Prasad David, "contributed to the Apollo mission to the Moon in 1969." His expertise and service was much sought after by countries such as Singapore and Germany, when it came to Air Traffic Control Systems. This great son of the soil did both his hometown, Madurai, and his homeland, India, very proud. As a humble man of God, for Dr. Sokkappa, 'Work was Workship, and Duty, Divine." He spared no effort to ensure that millions of passengers, the world over, were safe because of his stellar contribution to "the success in aviation." With an ever innovative, generative mind readily contributing to taking that one step that would be the giant leap for all mankind, Dr. Balraj Sokkappa's name goes down the annals of major scientific services an research around the world. Being one the world's topmost scientists did not deter Dr. Sokkappa from doing what he enjoyed most: Living a life of Charity, quite literally, 'Giving' till it hurt! He retired to a scenic little countryside, Sequim, in Seattle, USA, with his American wife, Betty, and their children, now grown up and gone on to make a life of their own. His love for the skies complemented, rather well, his life-long romance with the earth! Dr. Sokkappa's orchards were the talk of the town. He nurtured them with TLC (Tender, Loving, Care). And in return, his orchards yeilded the most exquisite of fruit, and in abundance! Dr. Sokkappa lovingly bottled his bounteous blessings - jams and preserves, which he joyfully gifted to friends when they came to visit. "Life is never over for those who give," and so is Dr. Balraj Sokkappa's! Having learned about the need for classrooms in Lady Doak College from his little sister, Ms. Sweety Chinnaiah, Dr. Sokkappa's large-hearted Gift finally found an aesthetic niche in the form of the Dr. betty Chinnaiah Multimedia Theatre with state-of-the-art equipment. Naming ti after his erstwhile, eminent paediatrician sister, Betty Chinnaiah, who incidentally, was the first resident doctor of Lady Doak College, gave this self-effacing, great brother, joy untold! Dr. Balraj Sokkappa's passing, is indeed, an irreparable loss to his extraordinary legacy of loving and giving the twin edifices that stand the test of time, tell of a tale of a life well spent in making our world a significantly better place.
Certificate of Commendation from Massachusetts Institute of Tecnology
Apollo Achievement Award from The National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Dr. Balraj G. Sokkappa Science Center at St. Mary's HR. Sec. School, Madurai