Look beyond IT-BT sectors: Ex-Isro chief

There is a need for more researchers and industry experts in the field of space research, said A S Kiran Kumar, former Isro chairman and Vikram Sarabhai Distinguished professor.

Speaking to DH on the sidelines of National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS)- Maiyas Prodigy Fellowship Programme here on Friday, Kumar said that there is a need for capacity building.

India is one of the few countries making headway in space research and the demand is only increasing as Isro is now working towards human space programme. There is a need for a lot of industrial support and young researchers.

Kumar said though the Central government has approved a human space programme, budget needs to be announced and then targets will be set.

At present, Isro is also busy working on the Chandrayan mission. The team is also working on launching 60 satellites in the next 4-5 years. P Sadananda Maiya, founder and Managing Director of Maiyas Beverages and Foods Private Limited, said that youth today are only looking at the IT- BT sector as a career. There is a need to also look at other streams, like food technology, which is a developing field and a never-ending industry.

On the occasion, 22 students (10 girls and 12 boys) from rural and urban Karnataka were awarded fellowships. NIAS selected these students. The programme offers a fellowship of Rs 50,000 to each student and links them to active mentoring programmes for a period of five years. Annual mentoring workshops will be organised where mentors from India and abroad will interact with fellows.