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Defending India's space exploration progamme, Indian Space Research Organisation chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan said ISRO's programmes today touch lives of all Indians, ranging from a fisherman to the decision-makers.
Speaking at the session 'Rockets vs. Rotis: What to Do First-Feed the Hungry or Reach the Moon?' on the second day of the 13th India Today Conclave on Saturday, Dr Radhakrishnan quoted India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru who had said, "Science alone can find answers to country's hunger."
The ISRO chief said, "Rockets or rotis? This question has been asked since space exploration began in the country. When we launched Aryabhatt or even more recently Chandrayan or Mangalyaan, the same question was asked. In ISRO, we ask this question every day. It impacts every decision we make there. We do not simply do space exploration. We work on programmes to help people earn their rotis."
"Farmers get information on the land quality in their farms through satellites. People do not have to dig wells anticipating water. We tell them exactly where to dig to get water. Digging a well costs Rs.1 lakh by the way," he elaborated.
Detailing about ISRO's other achievements, Dr Radhakrishnan said, "In disaster management, we predict storms, cyclones and other hazards, saving people's lives. We have also successfully launched mission to the Moon and one on Mars is on its way."
Coming back to the debate, the ISRO chief said, "Besides, there is also an intellectual hunger among the youth of India. Addressing it is also on our agenda."
The ISRO chief was joined by Dr Jean-Yves Le Gall, president, Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales, the French national space agency.
Dr Le Gall said, "India and France have collaborated in the space programme for over 50 years now."
Maintaining that he was optimistic about India-France collaboration in space exploration, Dr Le Gall agreed with the ISRO chief and said, "Space exploration also has power to address local issues."
Stressing on the significance of space science in our day-to-day lives, Dr Le Gall said, "Our economies today cannot live without satellites. It is impossible to live without them even for a single day."
Citing an example where satellites have helped them provide internet to people in remote areas in France, Dr. Le Gall suggested this experiment could be replicated in India. "Where we don't have internet in France, we are using satellites to provide affordable internet to people. We can replicate this in remote areas in India as well."
Replying to a question as to what space exploration has given back to the country, Dr Radhakrishnan said, "Benefits surpass the expenditure we are making. We are giving only 3-4 per cent of our budget on space exploration. In terms of GDP, it is less than even one per cent. Other countries are spending much more than this."
To a suggestion from the audience that ISRO should be more accessible to youth curious about space science, Dr Radhakrishnan said, "We are now telecasting all our launches live. We also have a Facebook page which is liked by lakhs of people. But I take your suggestion positively. We will look into it."
Space science helps farmers and decision-makers alike, says ISRO chief : Conclave 2014, News - India Today
Speaking at the session 'Rockets vs. Rotis: What to Do First-Feed the Hungry or Reach the Moon?' on the second day of the 13th India Today Conclave on Saturday, Dr Radhakrishnan quoted India's first PM Jawaharlal Nehru who had said, "Science alone can find answers to country's hunger."
The ISRO chief said, "Rockets or rotis? This question has been asked since space exploration began in the country. When we launched Aryabhatt or even more recently Chandrayan or Mangalyaan, the same question was asked. In ISRO, we ask this question every day. It impacts every decision we make there. We do not simply do space exploration. We work on programmes to help people earn their rotis."
"Farmers get information on the land quality in their farms through satellites. People do not have to dig wells anticipating water. We tell them exactly where to dig to get water. Digging a well costs Rs.1 lakh by the way," he elaborated.
Detailing about ISRO's other achievements, Dr Radhakrishnan said, "In disaster management, we predict storms, cyclones and other hazards, saving people's lives. We have also successfully launched mission to the Moon and one on Mars is on its way."
Coming back to the debate, the ISRO chief said, "Besides, there is also an intellectual hunger among the youth of India. Addressing it is also on our agenda."
The ISRO chief was joined by Dr Jean-Yves Le Gall, president, Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales, the French national space agency.
Dr Le Gall said, "India and France have collaborated in the space programme for over 50 years now."
Maintaining that he was optimistic about India-France collaboration in space exploration, Dr Le Gall agreed with the ISRO chief and said, "Space exploration also has power to address local issues."
Stressing on the significance of space science in our day-to-day lives, Dr Le Gall said, "Our economies today cannot live without satellites. It is impossible to live without them even for a single day."
Citing an example where satellites have helped them provide internet to people in remote areas in France, Dr. Le Gall suggested this experiment could be replicated in India. "Where we don't have internet in France, we are using satellites to provide affordable internet to people. We can replicate this in remote areas in India as well."
Replying to a question as to what space exploration has given back to the country, Dr Radhakrishnan said, "Benefits surpass the expenditure we are making. We are giving only 3-4 per cent of our budget on space exploration. In terms of GDP, it is less than even one per cent. Other countries are spending much more than this."
To a suggestion from the audience that ISRO should be more accessible to youth curious about space science, Dr Radhakrishnan said, "We are now telecasting all our launches live. We also have a Facebook page which is liked by lakhs of people. But I take your suggestion positively. We will look into it."
Space science helps farmers and decision-makers alike, says ISRO chief : Conclave 2014, News - India Today
