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.
