This day today, the 22'nd day of October,2008 will be written as a red letter day in the history of Indian Space Exploration. It is because it is the day when India for the first time has launched it's space craft to the moon. In the process India joins the select league of six nations that has accomplished this might. India joins the high table of the mighty space faring nations, the envy of the world.India has stunned the world by pulling off this feat in such a short time.Even though it will take the space vehicle a good 15 days to reach moon a time that is critical, India has completed the first leg that is the successful launch on PSLV, India's tried and tested work horse.
Critics question the validity of India undertaking such a mission?They argue that India which they say is poor can ill afford to invest in such a useless venture.Such persons if any are far off the mark. There are many reasons for this. The fuel resources in the earth is fast getting depleted. There is also a rapid increase in the population almost at an explosive phase. That means that the world needs to find a second home for it's burgeoning population. Hence the only option before the world is to leave our home planet and venture into the space and establish colonies in other planets. Colonisation of the moon which is our nearest space body is the first step and a logical one at that. The n
ext reason is that the moon holds vast reservoir of Helium-3 which scientists expect will be the fuel of the future. If the currency of power for he 20'th century was petroleum, the currency of power for the 21'st century will be Helium-3, a race India can ill afford to be left behind due the fact that other big and competing powers like China is also on the race to establish colonies in moon and exploit this fuel that shall make the country that hold the technology and access to the fuel the most powerful country which may even hold sway to the future of this planet. That is a race India can afford to lose in it's own peril.India today has taken a small step in it's quest for space exploration and domination, but it is a giant step for the people and the country which will see India emerge as one of the most powerful countries of the future.
Let us congratulate India and the men and women of ISRO who has worked tirelessly to make this dream come true and every Indian proud of our great country. May India take strides that shall catapult her to the biggest tables of world power.
VANTHE MATHRAM
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