Former ISRO chairman Dr K. Radhakrishnan encouraged students to pursue research in their respective fields and also shed light on the advances made by the space agency on the inaugural day of Techfest at the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay on Saturday.
Urging students to undertake space studies, Dr Radhakrishnan also spoke on the imminent breakthrough the ISRO was expecting in lunar vehicle technology that would be used for Chandrayaan, India’s advanced lunar programme.
While the exhibits at the 18th edition of Techfest were the top draw, the lecture by Dr Radhakrishnan also witnessed a packed hall. The former ISRO chairman in his hour-long lecture explained the difference between PSLV and GSLV as well as the working of the indigenously-made space probe Mangalyaan that is orbiting Mars.
Dr Radhakrishnan also spoke about the struggles and victories faced by ISRO since its inception 30 years ago.
“After India made Mangalyaan, it is now counted amongst the six top countries in space technologies and other nations are looking towards India as a role model,” he said.
“Space projects take some time to get going, hence such projects should be given time and funding for it to achieve its intended goal,” he added.
Throwing light on the speech by Dr Radhakrishnan, Anuraj Gupta chief media manager, Techfest 2015 said, “Dr Radhakrishnan stressed on the scope in space studies and sciences and asked the audience to grab the opportunity to excel in it.”
Earlier, the Techfest got underway with much pomp and fanfare. The fest has earned it the enviable status of being Asia’s largest technological festival.
While another technological festival was underway at VJTI, Matunga, the crowds of nearly 30,000 that thronged Techfest hinted at the eagerness of visitors to see the technological marvels put together by the IITians and other innovators from all over the world.
Day 2 of Techfest promises to woo visitors with many competitions, lectures and displays, which includes robowars, coding and cultural events.
