Nagpur: Do not limit yourself. Go beyond school textbooks, read other books too, observe and understand the universe, said S Somanath, Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), while interacting with students in Nagpur on Thursday.
Somanath was present as chief guest at the concluding ceremony of ‘Space on Wheels’ Vidarbha Tour, at Suresh Bhat Auditorium, Reshimbagh on Thursday. The ISRO, in association with Vidnyan Bharati launched ‘Space on Wheels’, a mobile exhibition carrying the models of launch vehicles and satellites. The mobile bus was inaugurated on August 15, 2023, and since then it toured several schools and attracted a large section of students and public in 11 districts of Vidarbha region.
Today’s Rate
Tuesday 01 Oct. 2024
Dr Prakash Chavan, Director of National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC); Dr Shekhar Mande, National President of Vidnyan Bharati; Dr Shivkumar Sharma, National Organising Secretary of Vidnyan Bharati; and N Sudhirkumar, Associate Director, Capacity Building Programme, ISRO, were the guest of honours of the programme.
In an engaging interaction with students in Nagpur, the ISRO chief, emphasized the importance of broadening horizons beyond conventional textbooks. His address not only underscored the significance of interdisciplinary learning but also highlighted the imperative of exploring diverse sources of knowledge.
Somanath articulated that initiatives like this serve as profound revelations into the aspirations of individuals residing in remote regions, underscoring India’s multifaceted growth trajectory across various sectors. He emphasized India’s burgeoning capabilities and the global community’s anticipation of its future endeavors.
The ISRO chief envisioned a future where research scientists would take on the mantle of astronauts, transcending traditional roles dominated by the Indian Air Force. He elucidated ISRO’s ambitious plans to send humans to the Moon by 2040, signalling a paradigm shift in India’s space exploration narrative.
Furthermore, Somanath commended India’s prowess in digital transactions, showcasing the nation’s technological advancement. He underscored the burgeoning biotechnology sector, emphasizing its pivotal role in enhancing the welfare of society. Technology, he asserted, stands as a cornerstone in India’s ascent towards global leadership.
Addressing the frugal expenditure of Indian space missions relative to other nations, Somanath attributed this efficacy to the innate ability of Indians to thrive with minimal resources. He expressed ISRO’s commitment to imparting this invaluable knowledge to aspiring scientists, particularly children, fostering a culture of resourcefulness and innovation.
Somanath said, that this initiative turned out to be an eye opener on the aspirations of people belonging to remote regions. “India is growing by moving into various sectors and proving capabilities. The world has great expectations and hopes from us for the future,” he stated. “Today, astronauts are from Indian Air Force, but in future research scientists will also undertake this role in human space missions,” he further said.
The ISRO chief added, “India is among the countries in the world where highest number of digital transactions are happening. Bio-technology sector is growing, and the country is using technology for the welfare of people, and embracing it as an important element in its ascend to world leadership.” He mentioned that research scientists will also play the role of astronauts in future, and ISRO is working towards sending humans to the Moon by 2040.
N Sudhirkumar and Prakash Chavan, in their speech, said that ‘Space on Wheels’ was initiated to celebrate the legacy of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, and turned out to be a medium of inspiration. They added that India’s growth should happen through science and technology, and should uplift all rural areas.
Dr Shekhar Mande also addressed the audience and congratulated all for the success of the initiative. The programme witnessed the attendance of a huge crowd, including students and teachers of various schools and colleges.
Saurabh Vaidya, a student of Class XI, while addressing the programme, said that the initiative cleared concepts related to space and acted as a link to reach common public and students.
