When you see a bunch of sari clad women, jubilant at India’s premier space research organization, ISRO; the typical stereotype within you, makes one think, if they are beaming with pride for their better halves working at the prestigious organization.
Only to your dismay, to find out, that they themselves form the nucleus to the nation’s most significant space program; which just successfully launched Mangalayan. An Indian born, bred and manufactured satellite into Mars’s orbit. A feat only 3 other nations have been able to achieve so far. India being the only nation to accomplish it, in their first attempt.
What strikes one is not the achievement, but the scale at which it was executed. Majority of the work-force is not part of the elitist educational institutions like IITs or IIMs. In fact, 80% of young engineers come from the regional engineering colleges and small towns. Not with the aim of getting a government job. But with that of making their voices heard, at a place that is known to encourage freedom of speech in its truest sense. Where questioning comes from knowledge not with age, position or hierarchy. That’s ISRO for you.
Everyone seems to be talking about frugal engineering. Which at times can be misinterpreted as cheap or discounted. The best of materials, state of the art system design and surgical planning with contingency scenarios thought through for Plans A, B, C and till F show not only the maturity of India’s space program but also the robustness of its engineering excellence.
Every smile on the face of every engineer in that room, just spoke one language. That of relief & satisfaction. No feats of bravado, no pumping of chests and no shouting of slogans. These are simple people like you and me, travelling in trains, buses and cars. $1000 by american standards for a scientist, clearly does not suffice the best of brains. But what keeps them motivated is challenges. Where salary is not the be all and end all. All they need is one corner to play in their very own sand box.
Elon Musk, an inspiration to today’s generation, formerly Co-founder of Pay Pal and currently running the American Electric Car company Tesla and Space company Space X also failed in his first attempts with the Falcon rocket.
Is it safe to say, these Engineers are better than Iron Man himself ?
This achievement is for every naysayer, who said India did not have cutting edge technology. Well, if this not what you call, cutting edge I don’t know what is. It’s time, India and Indians, start taking themselves seriously.
Coz , clearly the world already is. What are you waiting for?
Get, Set and Go!
