Satish Dhawan Space Centre – SHAR, Sriharikota, ISRO in association with Kongunadu Arts & Science College (KASC), organized a Space Exhibition in the ‘World Space Week Celebrations 2023’ with the theme “Space and Entrepreneurship” from 5th to 7th October, 2023, in KASC Campus. Athappa Manickam, Founder & Chairman of MAK Controls & Systems Pvt. Ltd, Coimbatore, was present as the Chief Guest while Grahadurai, Deputy Director at SDSC SHAR, ISRO, Sriharikota, graced the event as the Guest of Honour and inaugurated the expo. Lekeshmanaswamy, Principal, welcomed attendees, setting the stage for an enlightening discourse.
The inaugural event witnessed the release of the WSW 2023 brochures, symbolizing a milestone in the celebration. Driven by the noble objective of igniting young minds in space entrepreneurship, the inaugural event concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Saravanamoorthy, Academic Coordinator.
In the valedictory session, Shanmuganathan, Former Governor of Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh, graced as the Chief Guest. Many competitions were previously held for school students as part of World Science Week 2023, and prizes were distributed to all the students during the event.
Surging Startup Ecosystem in Space Technology
– C. A. Vasuki, Secretary, and Director of KASC
She sighted the connection between Indian Vedic knowledge and astrology with astronomy and praised the wisdom contained in Indian scriptures, particularly the “Surya Siddhanta,” a renowned book of astronomy. She applauded the remarkable achievements of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), acknowledging their invaluable contributions to space exploration.
- A. Vasuki encouraged both arts and science students to consider contributing to ISRO, underlining the organization’s inclusivity.
Highlighting the importance of hard work and dedication, she reminded the audience that Coimbatore, like ISRO, was built on relentless effort and commitment.
In her closing remarks, Vasuki left the audience with a resounding message, “We have the opportunities to be innovators, explorers, and entrepreneurs. Let’s seize them with enthusiasm and dedication. Together, we can contribute to the progress of our nation and the advancement of space science.”
Anticipating a Manpower Shortage
- Athappa Manickam, Founder & Chairman of MAK Controls & Systems Pvt. Ltd
When he started a company, his focus was clear, to avoid manufacturing or inventing anything already existing in the country. He believed in enhancing productivity without additional costs, even in seemingly small control equipment for the textile industry.
He underlined India’s preparedness to defend against any threat, asserting, “We are fully equipped to face any threat across the world, don’t worry about China; it is peanuts for us today. We have missiles ready to go and strengthen further.”
He recalled a story behind the establishment of his company, “In 1986, America used to hire skilled people from India, calling it ‘Body-Shopping.’ I didn’t like it, and started MAK Software System Ltd just to threaten them that we wouldn’t send our engineers to their country; they should come to ours for development.”
He shared his optimism for India’s future, foreseeing a shift in the job market. “What I’m anticipating is that in another 5 to 10 years, we’ll have a shortage of manpower,” he predicted. With satellite technology, he saw the potential to revolutionize agriculture, providing the means to feed the world.
Business Knowledge is essential
- Grahadurai, Deputy Director at SDSC SHAR, ISRO, Sriharikota
He shed light on the ISRO’s remarkable achievements, impressive track record and the future prospects of space exploration.
He mentioned that this year’s outreach program spanned across eight locations, showcasing ISRO’s commitment to engaging with communities.
He also stressed the importance of inspiring young minds, stating that World Space Week aims to excite the youth about space exploration. “We believe that business knowledge and analysis are also essential to inspire the younger generation and address the needs of space exploration,” he added.
In a nod to the increasing demand for satellite technology, he mentioned Amazon’s ambitious project to launch 3,246 satellites to provide high-speed internet access worldwide. He highlighted the growing necessity for satellite technology and underscored that meeting these requirements would be impossible without the involvement of private players in the space industry.
Solutions to Societal Challenges
- Thavamani D. Palaniswami, Secretary, Dr. NGP Arts & Science College
He underscored how science and technology have played a pivotal role in various sectors, leading to advancements in Indian agriculture through digitalization and precise agricultural practices, as well as progress in renewable energy sources.
She stressed the importance of the younger generation’s concentration on these fields, particularly mathematics.
Expressing concerns about a shifting focus away from fundamental science to technology-centric pursuits, he remarked, “We have observed the younger generation’s increasing fascination with technology while potentially neglecting foundational scientific knowledge. It is crucial to reverse this trend.”
She pointed out that space technology offers solutions to many societal challenges, including the creation of integrated healthcare systems, increased employability, and an improved quality of life.
Educating Future Space Enthusiasts
- Subbananthan, Deputy General Manager, SAFETY, SDSC SHAR, ISRO, Sriharikota, Chairman of WSW 2023
He emphasized that Coimbatore is poised to play a crucial role in the development of the space sector. The primary objective of the World Space Week program is to showcase ISRO’s ongoing space initiatives and the potential benefits they offer for humanity’s well-being. He attributed the success of the program to the dedicated teamwork involved. He mentioned that numerous events have been scheduled for the week, with a strong focus on educating students. He expressed hope that some of these students might choose to pursue careers at ISRO in the future, considering it a significant achievement for their efforts. He also provided insights into India’s progress in the field of space and technology.
In the valedictory function, he compared the ISRO space expo held at KASC with Chandrayaan, stating, “We safely landed in KASC for WSW 2023, experiencing the last 3 days akin to a lunar day and we’re going to be separated like a satellite. The immense interest and fascination were palpable. Coimbatore always excels in showcasing love. If you’re a good human, you give more love in your comfort zone, and we have received it. The outpouring of love was like a tsunami. The 3-day expo went flawlessly, and our mission was successfully accomplished.”
Surging Startup Ecosystem in Space Technology
- Bharathi Harishankar, Vice Chancellor of Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science & Higher Education for Women
She believed that with passion and dedication, one can achieve great heights in any field. She places her trust in the younger generations, who have more time and skills at their disposal. She emphasized the importance of perseverance, not only as a path to success but also as a tool for learning from past failures. Furthermore, she highlights the self-reliant nature of ISRO, where everything is developed in-house.
Math Education Concerns
- Lovelina Little Flower, Member, VC Committee & Syndicate Member, Professor & Head Department of Social Work, Bharathiar University
She emphasized the dual nature of life where winners and losers exist, often with comments from the audience lacking active participation. She expressed concern over the declining interest in mathematics courses and the possibility of closing the program. She urged teachers to make science and math classes engaging to ignite students’ curiosity and interest in these vital subjects.
Learning from Failures
- Sankaran, Chief General Manager, SMP & ETF, SDSC SHAR, ISRO
He commended the physics department students for their tireless efforts in explaining projects to thousands of visitors. Acknowledging the challenges of Chandrayaan 1 and 2, he highlighted the global impact of their failures. Proudly expressing ISRO’s confidence in Chandrayaan 3, he elucidated the difference between arrogance and pride, emphasizing the organization’s commitment to learning from past experiences while maintaining a sense of accomplishment and optimism for future endeavours in space exploration.
Soldiers and Scientists in Nation-Building
- Palanisamy, Chairman, Aerospace Materials Private Limited, Kovilpalayam,
He highlighted the significance of parents by stressing their importance in our lives. Reflecting on the selection of his product, Carbon Clothing, by ISRO, he remarked, “There, we learn the true meaning of perseverance.” Palanisamy praised ISRO’s simplicity, linking it to high status. He underscored the roles of soldiers and scientists in nation-building, encouraging individuals to contribute to society. His call to be physically fit and mentally alert resonated with a warrior’s mindset.
Lack of Goals
- Balakrishnan, Commissioner of Police, Coimbatore
He voiced concerns over the lack of goals among college students, emphasizing the role of achievements as inspiration, citing Chandrayaan 3’s success. Stressing equal potential in all, he noted the varying effort required for transformation. Regarding WSW 2023 space expo, he deemed it vital for Coimbatore, citing its contribution to affordable communications. Recognizing India’s role in global space programs, he underlined the transformative impact of communication technology on our lives.
Space Research Pride
- Shanmuganathan, Former Governor of Meghalaya, Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh
He expressed that India’s pride lies in its space research, which is a testament to the tireless efforts and knowledge of Indians. He emphasized that science thrives on the spirit of questioning, and this inquisitiveness is deeply rooted in the Indian thought system. During his speech, he shared personal anecdotes from his experiences, including his interactions with the esteemed Dr. Abdul Kalam. He concluded by stressing the significance of every student achieving something meaningful in their lives and offered his heartfelt prayers for their success.
