ISRO needs young brains, mix of science 'n' engg

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bangalore, Deputy Director P J Bhat said on Sunday that the organisation is looking for youngsters with amalgamation of science and engineering.

He was speaking after presenting awards for achievers in the field of science and music, instituted by Bhramara Trust of Y T and Madhuri Thathachari, at Rani Bahadur auditorium in the city.

Bhat was happy to note that the number of youngsters going in pursuit of science is picking up, against dearth of interested minds earlier.

He lauded the organisers for doing their mite in kindling young denizens interest in science. At the same time, music is also an efficient tool to achieve and a city like Mysore has ingrained relationship with the field of art, he added.

Bhat hailed the trust for its yeoman services since its inception in 1994. He was deeply moved to know that the savings of  Mr and Mrs Thathachari is the only purse to organise several activities.

Prof Sambashivarao Kotha from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Mumbai gave a call to the students to have a set goal and concentrate on the realm towards further progress.

Citing his own example, the professor said that he had his early education in Telugu medium. Inspired by his teachers then, he switched over to English. Similarly, he followed his teachers in ending up as a pedagog.

In an attempt to instill patriotism among those who find it difficult to come out of overtures of foreign calling, the professor said, he decided to quit his job abroad and flew back to the roots. Fortunately, his wife too was supportive, embracing the decision. The professor said ‘there are many such men aspiring to return to India, but  unable to do so, owing to spouses disagreement’. Prof Bishnu Pada Pal from IIT, Delhi and vidwan A K Jagadish also spoke on the occasion.

Recipients

Earlier, Prof Y T Thathachari Prestigious Research Award for Science was conferred on Prof Sambashivarao Kotha and Prof Bishnu Pada Pal. The award carries ` 50,000 cash prize each, citation and a memento.

Bharatratna M S Subbulakshmi Music Award was conferred on vidwan A K Jagadish.
The award carries a cash prize of ` 5,000, citation and a memento. Another awardee vidushi H K Thanmayee could not make it to the ceremony.

Suttur Seer Sri Shivarathri Deshikendra graced the occasion. Madhuri and Prof R Srinivasan were present.