Policy paralysis in 5 years affected scientific devpt: Ex-ISRO chief


* Celebrated scientist and former chief of ISRO Dr G Madhavan Nair says that human colonies on Mars are possible if appropriate technologies are developed

By Kartik Lokhande
NAGPUR, June 27: Former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Dr G Madhavan Nair, on Saturday, said that India had ‘missed out’ several opportunities previously and scientific development in the country got affected due to ‘policy paralysis’ in the past five years.

Interacting with a select group of journalists on the sidelines of first national convention of Vijnana Bharti at Persistent Auditorium here, Dr G Madhavan Nair said that India had prepared various excellent plans. “The Plan-2020 was generated long back. However, not much could be done because of policy paralysis. This needs to be corrected to make India gain her deserving place in the world in space research and development,” he said.
The statement of former chief of ISRO and an internationally acclaimed scientist, is addition to the widespread criticism of ‘policy paralysis’ during the rule of Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre. Asked about his hopes from the new BJP-led Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Centre, Dr Nair said, “The new Government is decisive, has focus, and it knows what to achieve. One can expect better things.”
The ‘Moon Man’ of India, popular reference to him as he led the team of India’s moon mission ‘Chandrayaan’ during his tenure as ISRO Chairman, said that ‘Chandrayaan’ was a ‘remarkable success’. “India’s moon mission is very important because we accomplished a remarkable feat. We did mapping of Moon up to 10 metre resolution, and got 80 per cent of the Moon surface mapped. Finding water there is a great achievement,” he added.
Asked about the Mars Mission of India, Dr Nair said that sometime around September-end this year, the final phase of Mars Orbit Insertion is likely to be achieved. Mars Orbiter Mission or ‘Mangalyaan’ is India’s mission with a scientific objective of exploring Mars surface features, morphology, mineralogy, and Martian atmosphere by indigenous scientific instruments. However, even before this, ‘Mangalyaan’ has generated popular curiosity whether is it possible to have life on Mars.
“Mars is logically the next step of scientific pursuit. Today, human colonisation of Moon and Mars may be a dream. But, if appropriate technologies are developed, this is quite possible in long run. I cannot say about Moon, but in case of Mars, it may be possible in future,” said the recipient of Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian honour of India. According to him, there is carbon dioxide on Mars and water under the surface. Existence of water is a good sign for life, he added.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chanda boy Dr Vipin Itankar is UPSC topper in State

Image
12-06-14 * Efficiency and effectiveness are the keywords for the topper * Nagpur lads Aawesh Titarmare, Arpit Gudadhe, and Ankur Meshram also bring laurels to the region in UPSC examination results By Kartik Lokhande  “I am blessed. Vipin is extremely hard-working, dedicated and a confident guy I have ever met in my life. He was always at top since college days. I was confident that he would be in top ten in the UPSC examination as well.” (Centre) Dr Vipin Itankar, who secured 14th rank nationally and topped Maharashtra in UPSC Civil Services Examination-2013 results, celebrating with his family members in Chandigarh on Thursday. This is how Dr Shalini, wife of Dr Vipin Vithoba Itankar, reacted on learning that Vipin had emerged as the Maharashtra topper in Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ over telephone from Chandigarh, where Vipin and Shalini work in Government Medical College and Hospital in Sector 32, both exp...
Read more

Hinganghat: Here rests the great surveyor of India...

Image
  By Kartik Lokhande  Often, the work of explorers lives on but they get buried in the history. This is exactly what has happened in case of Lt Col William Lambton. The man credited with initiating one of the greatest scientific activities in the world -- The Great Trigonometrical Survey of India -- lays buried at a place now known as ‘Kala Gota’ amid a crowded locality behind Bus Stand in the town of Hinganghat in Wardha district. Sadly, the memorial of this great surveyor, whose work led to measuring the highest point on Earth 50 years later, has become a victim of neglect. And, surprisingly, not many know about it and the great significance of Hinganghat in the landmark survey.  Lambton Memorial, known locally as 'Kala Gota' in Hinganghat. (Pic: Kartik Lokhande) Lt Col William Lambton The benchmark stone of Great Trigonometrical Survey, in the courtyard of a house behind Bus Stand in Hinganghat. (Pic by Kartik Lokhande) Lt Col Will...
Read more

Eknath Ranade, the man with ‘Rock’ solid determination

* November 2015 marks the culmination of birth centenary celebrations of Eknath Ranade, a son of Vidarbha who made it the cause of his life to realise the dream of Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari By Kartik Lokhande  It was 1962, a year that had stirred the atmosphere in the country owing to several factors including a war with China. In January 1963, India was to celebrate the birth centenary of Swami Vivekananda. In down south, in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, tension was in the air over Swami Vivekananda’s memorial. There were attempts by some to claim the Rock off the shores of Tamil Nadu where Vivekananda meditated. A firm leadership is required to navigate through little storms in the journey towards realisation of a goal. Eknath Ranade, a man born in village Timtala in Amravati district of Vidarbha region in Maharashtra, was destined to be that firm leader as far as Swami Vivekananda’s memorial at Kanyakumari. Born on November 19, 1914, Eknath Ranade was the ...
Read more