Value our own assets

Recently, I took part in debate/discussion via online at CNN-IBN about Sunita William's 2nd Spaceflight, scheduled in 2012. The background was created that only Sunia William's is the female astronaut and she brought glory to India as She is Indian...

I was disappointed with the news which is shown with little bit "different" manner. Mrs. Sunita Williams has indeed done remarkable job during her last spaceflight along with her team. As a space engineer and space mission analyst, I would like to say that its not so easy to spend even 30 days in zero gravity.There are lots of work to be carried out at ISS and for that one has to do many "spacewalks". Mrs. Williams has spent around 6 months at ISS during her last spaceflight. Over there you are away from your social life and there are many physical and psychological effects on human bodies in zero gravity. Whatever she has done, it is outstanding contribution.

The issue is why it is so much highlighted, is it only because she has Indian connection? If it is, then let me tell you the recent incidence of GSAT-4 failure of ISRO. At that time media was busy in blaming the scientists for the failure. A space mission is not only of one person. There are hundreds and thousands of scientist and engineers are involved in the mission devoting a huge amount of their precious time for the mission. If the mission gets success, we appreciate, but if it gets fail, why we blame on our scientists?

I am at present carrying out research studies at Cranfield Space Research Center, Cranfield University (UK) and I involved myself in an important project to remove space debris from low earth orbits (Project DR LEO). At present, developing model to measure soil moisturement for climate change which can predict rain/flood/drought and vegetation growth, using GeoSAR images.

I am not writing about me to showcase my work or myself, BUT I am only one example !! There are lots of highly knowledgeable and senior scientist and engineers in our country, in front of them I am not even 1%. The reason behind the above view is WE HAVE ENOUGH POTENTIAL AND INTELLECTUALS then why we are keeping ourselves in BUTTERING somebody? I have been in industry from quality amount of time, I do not think that our Indian media itself, has given proper value to Wg. Cdr. (Retd.) Rakesh Sharma, Dr. Madhvan Nair, Dr. Kasturirangan, Prof. Yash Pal, Dr. Satish Dhawan, Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. B N Suresh, Dr. Annadurai, Dr. Kalam, Dr. Selvamurthy...etc. We have such real "KOHINOORS" but still we'll prefer to praise AMERICAN DIAMOND. I am not against the appreciation for Mrs. Williams, as an astronaut, she has indeed done good work BUT she is not the only one. Why we forget Late Kalpana Chawla !!

Appreciation, of good things and good personalities like Mrs. Williams, is really matter of honor and respect, BUT too much is not good. I respect and value the appreciation and acknowledgement of remarkable work by Mrs. Williams and other astronauts, BUT on other hand also, I respect our own "Kohinoors". Apologize if I am hurting somebody's feelings, the only intention was to make us all aware that we have enough to make our country shine!

Thank you all.

Regards,

Rushi GHADAWALA