ISRO (That’s Indian Space Research Organization) was recently in the news as one of its prestigious experiment / research went down the drain as a failure – it was something related to the cryogenic engine (the only place where I have heard the word cryogenic before was the cryogenic deep freeze – thanks to Austin Powers and terminator 2) Not that I am not aware about the fact that it is something to do with sub sub zero temperatures , but I have no idea what the ISRO guys were doing meddling with it. Nevertheless, the experiment went down as a failure but it did put India on the map again. India is now one of 5 countries to have ever tested this technology. before us it was the soviets, the Americans, the Germans, the French. A great WOW factor for us? At the face of it yes, but think again. Was it necessary in the first place? Does India have better areas to concentrate on – to divert funds into things which can make this a better place for us? If you need a space age experience, just come visit some of the roads that I usually take to work – I guarantee you that you will experience everything from the zero gravity effect to the joy of relating these roads to the surfaces of mars and moon. A simple logic, what’s the GDP of the countries who have tested this experiment as compared to that of India? I am sure that you would not need the exact figures, but I sure do hope that you get the point.
Like every other Indian (not all) crying out loud, even I am a honest tax paying citizen of my country. But it hurts for me to see when my government funds into a space age projects when half of the population is fighting for its daily needs – DAILY. It hurts when news like that of the IPL scam and the much publicized Sania – Shoaib wedding ruckus takes precedence as compared to our PM’s visit to the US for talks on nuclear security. It was astounding when the news papers actually headlined this jibberish over news that needed attention. Half the roads in the city are dug up, some almost for over a year now as we have the new METRO RAIL starting up in the city. In a city where space is a rare commodity and traffic jams are a way of life – where do you think the spending of the money will be more appreciated?
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I do agree... it hurts when basics are not taken care of and yes I have taken the road you speak of... and its not plesant!
ReplyDeleteYes, you have all the points that have been discussed over and over and over again. But, still, i love my India. Or whatever is remaining of it.
ReplyDeleteGood post. But heres my 2 pence..Firstly,as you said - the cryogenic engine has the fuel and the oxidiser at sub zero levels - below -150 celsius. That being said - the engine is used in rockets which put mainly communication satellites into geo-stationary orbit. The key word being communication! The benifits are undeniable and proven what with satellite dishes coming up even in remote areas. Largely used in communication and also to relay television signals over a wide area. You do know that television has a really wide reach nowadays...most of the even tiny villages having at least one community tv where it can be used to relay useful information for farmers etc. You will admit the power of communication...you know how the mobile phone revolutionised dissemination of info and communication in remote parts of our country, and others such as China and in Africa. And it is not uncommon to see villagers and even the not very wealthy walking about with mobiles these days, is it? Educational satellites- used for educative programmes for all...even in rural areas. Weather satellites - to predict weather (despite the common perception of the meteorologist being mostly wrong). Terrain mapping and remote sensing satellites to provide data about ground water sources and environmental changes can be useful to the farmers as well. GPS - for travel - they are starting to use GPS in buses nowadays as well. And with the way our population is going, we are soon going to be bursting at the seams. Living space will be a premium and not long hence we will be literally clamouring for space in space. So space travel is not any more only the realm of Star Trek. If you dont believe it, you only have to think that just 150 years ago if you mentioned about zipping across the world in jets or in trains at 350 kmph you would have been consigned to the looney bin. Especially you also have to consider that the technology is also bringing in hard currency, with ISRO being considered by many countries as a competitive alternative to the expensive rockets of the west. In fact once the technology is proven it will finance itself with the cash that it brings in...as is already beginning. So its not completely accurate to say that the investment does not bring in returns. Thus the technology as such undeniably has the potential to revolutionise life in many respects even for the poorest of the poor and the ruralest of the rural. The problem in our country arises due to the lack of accountability and will to let the benefits trickle down to the poor. Some people would rather skim all the benefits for themselves and not let it be spread. But maybe I am talking utopia now...So as I see it the blame has to be directed where it belongs...to the vested interests. I personally would rather invest in the technology rather than spend it on stupid things like building a Shivaji statue to rival the statue of liberty, or building a park for statues of politicians or on garlands of money for the politicians. Unfortunately our masses are swayed more by these useless symbols than the real necessities. So while I completely agree with you that the basics need to be taken care of, I disagree with the idea that investing in ventures like the ISRO are not important in a "poor" country like India. You just have to have a look at the money which is being splurged on the IPL or on worthless campaigns of the political parties or what is being laundered into the Swiss accounts to realise that the money is there and it is just being hoarded by a few. And we especially in the cities cannot deny the massive benefits tv, communication, GPS, weather forecasts, education, we take for granted daily even without realising how it comes about. And lastly, a minor point - two countries that you forgot, which use cryogenic rockets are Japan and most importantly China.So for me this is not about being something to be proud of because India is the fifth/sixth country to have the technology, but purely on basis of the potentials it offers....
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