Lt Gen(Retd.) Dr. Prof. BNBM Prasad, SM, VSM,
Distinguished Pulmonologist and Former Director General Hospital Service(Armed Forces)
It is a great moment – historic, one of its kind never witnessed before in India’s space odyssey. This date 23 August 2023 is a red-letter day in the annals of India’s lunar space mission that is inked forever in golden letters.
India’s civilizational journey in exploration of unknown is long, dating back to thousands of years that did not see the light of the day in due course of time due to many reasons but importantly subjugation and demonizing of our scientific spirit and self-enquiry by the Invaders who ruled this ancient land for nearly one thousand years before India gained Independence from the colonial rule.
Millions across post independent India waited with batted breath with prayers in their lips for the nation’s Chandrayaanaa-3 lunar mission to succeed and their prayers have been finally answered with ISRO’S indigenously developed space craft making soft landing on the dark side of the moon that is rocky and ridden with craters and where devils dare to land.
This extraordinary feat is a stupendous success story that was scripted and executed to perfection by The Team ISRO.
Independent India during this ‘Amrit Kaal’ has achieved many distinctions. India has shown to the world – Yes, we can with shoe string budget but with the aid of Nations Will and resolve. A poor country once used bullock carts and cycles to ferry rocket parts to assemble a modest rocket by ISRO at Thumba space station could evolve and advance to be on the top of the world in the rocket technology that is not a cup of tea for the novice.
Undoubtedly, shores of Indian peninsula have witnessed many low and high tides and it is a matter of nations pride that In a span of few decades, ISRO made great strides which became possible due to their dogged determination, unflinching dedication and thirst for excellence. Success of this latest unmanned lunar mission, just few days after the crash landing of Russia’s LUNA-25, bears testimony to ISRO’S capabilities to set bench standards and realize goals within their resources.
For The Team ISRO, Nation comes first always and every time with their comforts the last. Kudos and glory to Nation’s Space Agency for making India proud and strong.
Indian Nation has no dearth of talents but supporting them to realize nations ambitions becomes possible when there is private and public participation under a strong leadership. When there is a strong Government that is ever willing and all set to take the Nation forward, the outcome is obvious for the world to witness.
India became the 4th country in the world to be on the moon and the first one to make her presence felt on the most difficult and disastrous south pole, to the utter dismay of many who doubted India’s resolve under the present Government.
Needless to say that our Honorable PM Shri Narendra Modi from the day one on assuming office has been working relentlessly to make India strong and self reliant. India’s space journey that had a grinding halt under previous congress regime got the boost under his leadership.
When Chandrayana- 2 space craft failed at the last moment before it could create history by landing on the moon, our honorable PM Shri Narendra Modi did not lose heart. He relentlessly supported and motivated the space agency to move ahead, notwithstanding severe obstacle to India’s growth story due to the worst viral pandemic of the century.
Failure is a stepping stone for success and for The Team ISRO, failure of Chandrayaana -2 was a blessing in disguise for rectifying past mistakes which ensured 100 % success in their subsequent mission. In space missions failures are common and are in-fact a rule rather than an exception.Heads off to ISRO and a great salute to them by the grateful Nation.
India has finally arrived to be on the top and be among the most elite space exploders.India’s success is unique and her mission is but with a difference – For, By and To The world and The Humanity. The world is slowly moving towards one family, despite many differences and when it comes to exploration of unknown the entire world should be one. Knowledge belongs to all.
When the mission is noble and for the future of the mankind, there are many nations who desire that India should succeed. India did well to manage Covid 19 pandemic and provided vaccine to the needy across the globe. One world and One Mission- all for the human welfare is now possible with India taking the lead.
Impossible becomes possible and in the pursuit of truth both physical and metaphysical approaches should be applied with science and spirituality remaining inseparable for gaining the knowledge.
Great Indian Yogis and Rishis advocated ‘ Vasudaiva Kutumbakam’ with harmonious and peaceful existence for the world under one roof. These great thinkers used spirituality to augment various yoga practices to gain knowledge for the well being of the planet.
Moon adorns The Fountain Head of Knowledge of SIVA, the supreme Yogi and for the follower of ancient Indian culture, Moon is not just a satellite of the Mother Earth but a spiritual symbol of a consciousness of a different dimension with exciting possibilities.
Finally India has established ‘SHIV SHAKTHI POIN’T on the dark side of the moon through Chandrayaana-3, symbolizing knowledge that is supreme for exploring and enhancing human consciousness on the lunar surface to experience eternity- ‘Sat Chit Anand’. Human existence beyond earth is a possibility by transcending physiological and psychological barriers and exploration of extraterrestrial space can make it a reality in the future.
Mission Chanrayaanaa-3 is the first step in India’s space odyssey but an important step and a giant leap to an unknown world in the search of knowledge. The journey beyond our World has just begun with the aid of science of technology and here every step is exciting with endless potential.
Many missions to come and many obstacles to cross before India has a final word in this journey. Moon is deadly, dark and deep and many miles to go before one goes in to sleep.
