India's space journey, which famously began with transporting rocket parts on bicycles and bullock carts, has now propelled the nation to the top ranks globally in numerous fields, stated Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Chairman Dr V Narayanan. He delivered this inspiring message while addressing the 74th annual convocation of Gujarat University in Ahmedabad on Monday.
Celebrating India's Ascent in Global Space Arena
Painting a vivid picture of the country's developmental trajectory post-independence, Dr Narayanan asserted that landmark successes like the Chandrayaan and Mars missions are undeniable proof that India's education system and talent pool are second to none in the world. He expressed immense pride in ISRO's recent series of achievements, which underscore this global standing.
The ISRO chief provided a snapshot of the organisation's bustling launch schedule. He highlighted the successful launch of the 'Bahubali' rocket LVM3 just the previous week, which precisely placed the heaviest satellite launched from Indian soil, BlueBird-Block 2, into orbit for the benefit of the Indian Navy. He also recalled another LVM3 success from the prior month, which deployed the NVSO3, currently the heaviest Indian satellite.
Looking ahead, Dr Narayanan unveiled an ambitious roadmap for India's space future. He confirmed that the Chandrayaan-4 programme has been approved and will be planned as a sample return mission. The vision for a Bharatiya Antariksh Station (Indian Space Station) is set to become a reality by 2035, with initial modules slated for launch as early as 2027. Furthermore, he announced the monumental goal of landing an Indian on the moon and ensuring their safe return via a fully indigenous mission by 2040.
Other approved ventures include a Venus Orbiter Mission (VOM), a Mars lander mission, and the development of a heavy-lift Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) featuring a recoverable first stage. Dr Narayanan credited this remarkable progress to the solid foundation built by successive generations of leaders within ISRO.
Governor's Call for Hard Work and Healthy Living
In his address, the Chancellor and Governor of Gujarat, Acharya Devvrat, emphasized to the graduating students that there is "no shortcut to success in life, hard work is the only way." He then shifted focus to pressing contemporary health issues, issuing a stern warning to the youth.
Governor Devvrat expressed deep concern over the rise of serious diseases, which he attributed to the widespread use of chemical farming and the consumption of junk food. "Diseases like heart attack and cancer are being seen in the youth of 20-25 years, which is a matter of concern for the country," he stated. He urged the new graduates to champion the causes of clean eating and 'natural farming' to help build a healthier India.
Connecting personal health to planetary well-being, the Governor also spoke about the global environmental crisis. He noted that the world is currently navigating a critical phase of climate change and urged the degree-holders, as responsible members of society, to actively participate in environmental protection. "Education is not just a means of getting a degree, but it is the power to solve the problems of society," he concluded.
A Grand Celebration of Academic Achievement
The convocation ceremony was a grand celebration of academic excellence. A total of 40,245 students were awarded degrees, diplomas, and certificates. The university also recognized top performers by distributing 342 medals and 66 scholarships to deserving students, marking a significant milestone in their educational journeys.
