SHILLONG: The Indian space programme is making steady progress and the country is capable of becoming a leader in space technology.
Former chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) G Madhavan Nair on Thursday highlighted India’s space exploration and the country’s futuristic space programmes at the second Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam Lecture organized by IIM, Shillong at the State Convention Centre.
Referring to India’s space programme during the lecture on the topic ‘Space and Society: An Indian Scenario’, Nair said India is taking long strides in space research and exploration.
“The budget for our space programme is equal to Rs 1 billion. A small fraction of the budget is set aside for high end science,” he added.
Nair stated that the country’s space programmes are at par with that of developed nations like US, Russia, Europe and China. “But we are leaders at playing such technology for solving the problems of man and society,” he proudly said.
It may be mentioned that it was during his tenure as ISRO’s chairman that Chandrayaan I, which was India’s first lunar probe was launched into space.
“We were the first to declare that there is water in Moon,” he recollected.
“Perhaps there are intelligent life forms somewhere far in the sky. Whether we can communicate with them, these are all for the future,” he said.
Nair said while India is making long strides in space research and exploration, US and Russia are trying to establish their supremacy in space.
He pointed out that space research had been instrumental in earth observation and application for management of natural resources in agriculture, water, fisheries, watershed mapping, watershed development, monitoring irrigated canals. “These activities are being supported under Bharat Nirman programme.”
Referring to such programmes, he said, “This is what we try to give back to society.”
He urged the students from IIM-Shillong as well as students from different schools who were present to do things differently and to be innovative.
Addressing students who were eager to know more about the mystery of space, Nair said, “Mars is a habitable type of planet and it is believed that vegetation also existed (in Mars) but we are yet to find any proof of that.”
On alien life forms, he said any evidence of alien life could not be found till date even through the monitoring devices.
Speaking on India’s future space programmes, he said ISRO is aiming for a mission to study the sun with Aditya I which is slated to be India’s first space mission to study the Sun.
Later, while speaking to reporters Nair said India will be a global power in terms of space research.
“We have the competence to build rockets and satellites and provide satellite-based services in a cost effective manner. It is a fact that many foreign countries come to India for launches. If we keep the same level of performance in the years to come we can be a leader in space programme,” he said.
He refuted the claims that there is brain-drain from ISRO to NASA.
“People who run away from India do it not because of passion but greed for money. Whereas people who remain here are passionate about their country and they love to contribute to the nation,” he said.
“The realization of the GSLV Mark III is going to make India self-reliant in launching the heavier communication satellites,” he said.
He added that the GSLV Mark III is entirely home grown which is a great achievement for the country.
On the other hand, he is optimistic of India’s joint venture with China in space programme.
