Veteran Microelectronics pioneer Dr M J Zarabi passes away

Srinagar, Aug 09: Dr M J Zarabi, one of India’s most distinguished microelectronics experts and former Chairman and Managing Director of the Semiconductor Complex Ltd. (SCL), passed away on Friday. His cremation will be held today (Sunday).As per a statement issued here, born and educated in Kashmir, Dr. Zarabi completed his B.E. (Hons) from Jabalpur, followed by an M.E. and Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, where his doctoral work earned him the prestigious Alumni Medal for the best thesis of the year.Over a career spanning more than three decades, Dr. Zarabi became synonymous with India’s microelectronics industry. At SCL, he spearheaded the creation of a state-of-the-art VLSI fabrication facility in 1997 and oversaw the establishment of the country’s only Gallium Arsenide Enabling Technology Centre for the Defence Research and Development Organisation. He also led pioneering work in Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS). Following his retirement from SCL in 2005, Dr. Zarabi served as Executive Director (Technology) at Samtel and later became a sought-after technology consultant, advising leading companies including Infineon Technologies and Solar Semiconductors. He co-founded Multisphere Power Solutions Pvt. Ltd. and Masamb Electronics Pvt. Ltd., and served on the boards of several major public sector undertakings and private firms.A prolific academic contributor, Dr. Zarabi co-authored key reference works in microelectronics and was a Fellow of the Indian National Academy of Engineering, the National Academy of Sciences, and the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers. Dr. Zarabi’s legacy lies in building India’s self-reliance in microelectronics, inspiring a generation of engineers, and advancing the country’s strategic technological capabilities.