Kerala - Kozhikode   

Focus on developing villages: ISRO chief

Honour: Mayor M. Bhaskaran presenting a memento to ISRO Chairman G. Madhavan Nair at a reception at the City Corporation office on Thursday.

Kozhikode: Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) chairman G. Madhavan Nair said here on Thursday that efforts would be made to incorporate Kozhikode Corporation in the ISRO’s comprehensive urban development programme. He said 138 cities in the country had been included in this infrastructure development project, which is being carried out with the help of satellite-aided pictures and mappings. “Kozhikode also can be incorporated in this project,” he said. The ISRO chairman was speaking at a reception accorded to him by the Corporation Council here on Thursday.

Mr. Nair said a large share of ISRO funds were being utilised to develop different technologies to benefit the common man. “As an economically backward country with a large percentage of its population still below poverty line, India has to be very clear about its priorities,” he said.

The Corporation Mayor, who presided over the function, presented a memento to Mr. Nair. P.T. Rajan and Opposition leader P. Mamukkoya Haji, among others, offered felicitation.

Mr. Madhavan Nair was also accorded a civic reception at the Tagore Centenary Hall under the aegis of the Kozhikode Corporation in association with the Malabar Chamber of Commerce and Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Talking on the occasion, he said though India had made enormous strides in space technology, a lot needed to be done by using satellite technology to “promote the villages where over 70 per cent of our population lived.”

He said the ISRO was engaged in several other activities such as tele-medicine and tele-education to benefit society.

The ISRO chairman said the younger generation among the scientific community should have a mindset to develop the villages, using available satellite connectivity and remote sensing applications. “We should focus on training our youth to develop our villages faster to expedite the country’s progress,” he said.

A. Pradeepkumar, MLA, delivered the inaugural address. Mayor M. Bhaskaran presided over the function.

Poet and lyricist Kaidapram Damodaran Namboodiri recited a poem in praise of the ISRO chief and his contributions. Calicut Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president M. Sreeram welcomed the gathering and CCCI office- bearer M. Muzammil delivered the vote of thanks.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Novel with a strong local flavour
Focus on developing villages: ISRO chief
Plea to save Kallayi river
Kozhikode, Vadakara campaign to be easier
Bar Day fete
Management association meet to discuss recession
KVVES district committee plea for candidates
Collector holds review meet
Labour bank sought
Ration dealers seek hike in commission

Copyright © 2009, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu