By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, July 31: As part of National Space Day celebrations, a one-day workshop was inaugurated at the North Eastern Council (NEC) to honour India’s advancements in space exploration and technology.
It may be mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had last year declared August 23 as National Space Day in India to mark the significant achievement of the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander, which successfully landed on the lunar South Pole on August 23, 2023.
The one-day workshop, organined by the North Eastern Council Secretariat, was participated by students of St. Anthony Higher Secondary School, St. Mary Higher Secondary School, St. Edmund’s Higher Secondary School, and Brookside Higher Secondary School.
The event featured presentations from prominent scientists of the North Eastern Space Application Centre (NESAC), who shared their expertise during the technical sessions.
Planning Advisor at NEC, Som Kamei, in his address, celebrated the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander’s historic achievement and He highlighted India’s ongoing contributions to lunar exploration and the progress made by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
Reflecting on India’s space journey from the launch of Aryabhata in 1975 to recent successes like Mangalyaan and Chandrayaan missions, Kamei emphasised ISRO’s commitment to advancing knowledge and innovation.
On the other hand, NESAC Director, SP Agarwal, spoke about the theme of National Space Day 2024, ‘Touching Lives while Touching the Moon: India’s Space Saga.’
He provided insights into the history and development of India’s space programme and lauded Chandrayaan-3’s accomplishments, including its successful soft landing and lunar roving.
Agarwal noted that these achievements will support ISRO’s future interplanetary missions and enhance lunar exploration through rover deployment and scientific experiments.
During the technical sessions, KK Sharma, Group Head of NESAC, spoke about the societal benefits of the Indian Space Programme.
On the occasion, other speakers also spoke about the application of geospatial technology for effective governance in the Northeastern region, the potential of UAVs for development, and collaborative development efforts with NESAC in the Northeastern region.
As part of the programme, attendees were treated to three documentaries produced by ISRO, showcasing the history, developments, and achievements of the Indian Space Programme.