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Published online 19 November 2008 | Nature 456, 293 (2008) | doi:10.1038/456293f
News in Brief
Indian space mission stakes its claim on the Moon
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CHANDRAYAAN-1: http://www.isro.org/pslv-c11/videos/tmc.htm Dr. Upinder Fotadar
India has finally landed a probe on the surface of the moon. This is really no mean feat on the part of a nation laden with endless problems of abject poverty and over-population. Nonetheless, the world ought to be reminded that the state-of-the-art space-technology cannot be just the monopoly of a few powerful nations. The accomplishment matches that of Japan and China, the other two Asian nations that possess the technical capability of putting man on the moon in the not so distant future. At the moment the three countries seem to work independently. Perhaps if they were to decide to collaborate, they could certainly push their joint space exploration to a much greater height. Actually, why not give it a try? (Tan Boon Tee)
What a stunning achievement! The sage words of Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of Independent India in his famous Tryst with Destiny speech are so apt today. ?At the dawn of history India started on her unending quest, and trackless centuries are filled with her striving and the grandeur of her success and her failures. Through good and ill fortune alike she has never lost sight of that quest or forgotten the ideals which gave her strength? ?The achievement we celebrate today is but a step, an opening of opportunity, to the greater triumphs and achievements that await us. Are we brave enough and wise enough to grasp this opportunity and accept the challenge of the future?? ?And so we have to labour and to work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams. Those dreams are for India, but they are also for the world, for all the nations and peoples are too closely knit together today for any one of them to imagine that it can live apart Peace has been said to be indivisible; so is freedom, so is prosperity now, and so also is disaster in this One World that can no longer be split into isolated fragments. The challenge of future was taken up by Indians, never losing sight of the democratic values of this world?s biggest and most populace democracy. This is no mean feat and all the more a matter of pride not only for all Indians, but also for the One World with democratic values at heart. Dr. Urmila Jagadeesan Nair(Germany)
Proud to note that India became the fourth country after the US, Russia and Japan to place its national flag on the lunar surface. Indeed it also makes one happy to note that other Asian countries such as Japan and China have also made their moves towards the Moon. Sadly the success of the Chinese, Chang-e 1 lunar probe remains a contentious issue: http://www.nowpublic.com/technology/did-china-copy-nasa-moon-photo Moreover, according to Madhavan Nair, who heads ISRO, India now has the capability to place a man on to the moon by 2015.
Its definitely not a joke for a country like India to send an unmanned spacecraft to moon. It is an example for the whole world to look at. Being laden with problems like population, corruption, poverty, the Indian government thought to take such a high technological step. India also went forward with the nuclear deal with US. So this is the country to watch for in near future! Its really creditable and hats off!! to this nation..
Most of us approximately 1.2 billion Indians who have access to the media are overjoyed. This mission demonstrated a high degree of precision and excellent teamwork. Nevertheless, the success of this mission comes as no surprise to many scientists. India today (in reality) has the second largest technical work-force on this planet after the U.S.A. While the quality of this workforce is mixed, some of it is certainly comparable to the very best on this globe. In addition to this India has the second most extensive indigenous nuclear programme in Asia after that of Japan. We have been building nuclear power-plants for decades now. Thus why be surprised by Chandrayaan-1! Dr. Tripta Singh
Its really great pleasure to see India successful launching the Chandrayan 1 from ISRO. Really it is a matter of happiness and proud as in spite of having many problems, they have done the good job! Dr. Jitender Singh ISI Kolkata
?It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried?. Winston Churchill. Quite often democracies give the impression of being fragile but they have inherent strength which totalitarian states lack. Our hats off to our motherland, India, a great power and a great democracy on demonstrating her technological abilities and inquisitiveness.
It has been said that democracy is the worst form of government except all the others that have been tried, quote by Sir Winston Churchill. Quite often democracies give the impression of being fragile but they have inherent strength which totalitarian states lack..Our hats off to our motherland, India, a great power and a great democracy on demonstrating her technological abilities and inquisitiveness.