Mangalyan, a great achievemnt for Indian space: research Isro ex-chief

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 20, 2015:  Terming the day September 24, 2014 as a major milestone in the history of Indian space science,  Isro former Chairman Dr K Radhakrishnan said. He was delivering Karnataka Bank Foundation Day lecture at the bank’s corporate office in Mangaluru on Feb 18, Wednesday. Dr. Radhakrishnan said Mangalyan, which was conducted at a cost of Rs 415 crore, drew criticism. But, with the success of Mangalyan, India now knows how to reach there and this achievement has been worth of it. Mission On Mars (MOM) is a major leap of India in attaining self reliance in space missions.

ISRO has been expanding  its reach and vision with its progress. It has learnt from failures and has marched forward towards greater missions Dr. Radhakrishnan said. Recalling the contributions of scientists of Isro Vikram Sarabhai, Sathish Dhawan and Prof U R Rao.

Starting from Aryabhata way back in 1975, India has carried out 119 space missions. In the first phase of 25 years, there have been 40 missions. In the second phase of 10 years, there have been 42 missions. In the last 5 years, there were 37 missions including Chandrayan - 1 and during last six months, six missions including Mission on Mars (MOM) have been carried out. India is now looking forward for Chandrayan -2 and Aditya missions.

25 Indian satellites have been responsible for making the lives of people different than from 1980’s. Effective disaster management communication and navigation system has been possible with these satellites.

Three GPS navigation satellites have been successfully launched and one more will be launched by next March. The nation is on its way in attaining reliable space satellites, he said.  Dr K Radhakrishnan said that Indian space programmes have been pan-Indian endeavors. ISRO is looking for a greater role of the nation in producing PSLV communication satellite of its own, he added.

As a part of its CSR projects, a sanction letter of Rs 14.5 lakh was handed over to the district surgeon Dr R Rajeshwari Devi, towards the dialysis centre at district Wenlock Hospital. Also, Rs five lakh was provided to Ramakrishna Seva Samaja, Puttur, President Subrahmanya Kolathaya towards girls hostel.

Karnataka Bank Chairman Ananthakrishna presided over, MD P Jayaram Bhat and Chief General Manager Mahabaleshwar Bhat were present.