The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Students told to work for country's development

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Apr 13, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Students told to work for country's development

Staff Reporter

Madhavan Nair receives award from D. Hanumanna The Government had opened Centres for Science Education at Kolkata and Pune to attract youth to follow a five-year course in basic sciences

CHENNAI: G. Madhavan Nair, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation, on Wednesday called on students to work for the country's development.

Receiving an award from D. Hanumanna, Emeritus Scientist, Combat Vehicle Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), on behalf of RMK Engineering College in Gummidipoondi, he said that the college premises was like a modern temple of knowledge. "When I began my schooling, it was in a thatched roof and there were meagre facilities at the engineering college too. But the present generation has up-to-date information at the click of a button," he said.

He highlighted the various uses of space research in the fields of education, medicine, agriculture, fisheries among others benefiting the common man.

Dr. Hanumanna said that Dr. Madhavan Nair had been conferred the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Science from several universities including Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati.

Reading the citation, Dean K. Chandrasekaran said that college and the Lakshmikanthammal Educational Trust decided to present the awards since 1999 to present role models for students. The earlier awardees who got the honours include K. Kasthuri Rangan for space research, Dr. R.A. Mashelkar for his contribution to science and technology, Dr. Sudha Murty for her efforts in social welfare and Dr. R. Chidambaram for his contributions to India's nuclear capabilities. Talking to mediapersons later, Dr. Madhavan Nair said two satellites, a GSLV INSAT 4 C communications satellite for direct to home transmission and the next series of Cartosat for very precise assessment of natural resources would be launched in the middle of this year from Sriharikota.

Basic sciences

Questioned on the entry of students to space research and studies, he said that at the moment he would not say that they were able to get the best of the students. "Around 100 to 200 highly qualified engineers and scientists opt for information technology," he said pointing out that there was a lacuna in the system as not many chose basic sciences. The Government had opened Centres for Science Education in Kolkata and Pune to attract youth to follow a five-year course in basic sciences. With the Moon Mission and AstroSat projects for 2008, there is lot of scope for scientific research, which is sure to enthuse the student community.

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