The Indian space programme came in for much praise at the plenary session of the 58th International Astronautical Congress being held here that discussed the role of UN agencies in space.

Mario Hernandes, of UNESCO spoke about how satellites are used to monitor world heritage sites, assess the hydrological situation, etc. “When we suggest the use of satellites and technology, there is a wrong perception that these are elite tools. It is India that has shown the world how space science can be used for the benefit of common man,” he said.

At a later technical session on “space and society”, Dr V S Hegde of ISRO gave a round-up of how the village resource centres are doing well. He said that there was a plan to  increase the number of these centres to 4,000 from the present 482 across the country.

With a cost of around Rs 5-6 lakhs for setting up one such centre alongwith a partner agency, it was an economical activity, he said considering the per capita cost and the benefit. Relaying information on topics like the weather, health, agriculture, and education, these are the only way the rural poor acan aspire to a better life, he said.