Space Seminar in Hindi

The Department of Space/ISRO today (November 29, 2002) organised a Technical Seminar in Hindi "The Role of Space Technology in the Fields of Information, Education and Entertainment" at Antariksh Bhavan, Bangalore. Inaugurating the seminar, Dr Surendra Pal, Deputy Director, ISRO Satellite Center, Bangalore highlighted the applications of space in several fields. He particularly emphasised how space has helped in bringing education, entertainment, e-commerce and even medical expertise through Telemedicine to the doorsteps of the common man. He also gave examples of spin-off space products like LCDs, Velcro tapes, Pace makers, etc.

Dr Saragu Krishnamurthy, former Head of Hindi Department of Bangalore University, who presided over the function, traced the history to the rockets of Tippu Sultan and made a mention of the references to space and satellites in Indian mythology. He recounted the contributions of Dr Vikram Sarabhai, Prof Satish Dhawan and the present Chairman, Dr K Kasturirangan in bringing Indian space programme to its present level of maturity. Shri M C Uttam, Deputy Director, VSSC, Thiruvananthapuram, in his keynote address, recounted the progress made by ISRO in its launch vehicle programme. Dr S V Kibe, Deputy Director, INSAT Programme Office, welcomed the gathering.

During the day, scientists from ISRO Centres at Banaglore and Hassan presented papers in Hindi on various topics covering space communication, satellite mission control, geographical position system, space based remote sensing, etc.

Dr K Kasturirangan, Chairman, ISRO, gave the valedictory address in the afternoon. He expressed satisfaction at the efforts being made by the Department of Space/ISRO towards implementation of the official language, Hindi. He said that the technical seminar held today will go a long way in communicating technical information in the national language. Dr Mithali Bhattarcharjee, Professor of Hindi in the Bangalore University, who was one of the Judges, announced the Prizes for the best lectures in the technical seminar.

A book exhibition and a space exhibition displaying the achievements of ISRO in Hindi, were also part of the seminar held today.