BANGALORE: India became the first nation to reach Mars on its maiden attempt Wednesday when its low-cost Mangalyaan spacecraft successfully entered orbit around the Red Planet after a 10-month journey.
"India has successfully reached Mars... History has been created today," a jubilant Prime Minister Narendra Modi said from mission control after entry into orbit was confirmed at 8:02am local time.
"We have dared to reach out into the unknown and have achieved the near impossible," he added amid raucous cheering from scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation's base near Bangalore.
The success of the mission, which is designed to search for evidence of life on the Red Planet, is a huge source of national pride for India as it leaves its Asian rivals, including China, in the shade.
India now joins an elite club of the United States, Russia and Europe who can boast of reaching Mars. More than half of all missions to the planet have ended in failure, including China's in 2011 and Japan's in 2003.
No single nation had previously succeeded at its first go, although the European Space Agency, which represents a consortium of countries, did also pull it off at its first attempt.
Now Mangalyaan has reached Mars, the probe is expected to study the planet's surface and scan its atmosphere for methane, which could provide evidence of some sort of life form.
Mangalyaan is carrying a camera, an imaging spectrometer, a methane sensor and two other scientific instruments.
At just $74 million, the mission cost is less than the estimated $100 million budget of the sci-fi blockbuster "Gravity". That figure also represents just a fraction of Nasa's MAVEN spacecraft which successfully began orbiting the fourth planet from the sun on Sunday.
Indian engineers employed an unusual "slingshot" method for Mangalyaan's (Hindi for Mars vehicle) interplanetary journey which began when it blasted off on November 5 last year.
Lacking enough rocket to blast directly out of Earth's atmosphere and gravitational pull, it orbited the Earth for several weeks while building up enough velocity to break free.
Despite the complications, scientists had been increasingly confident of success and mission director M Annadurai told AFP on Tuesday that all was going to plan.
"Everything is going on smoothly as programmed and the spacecraft's health is normal," said Annadurai.
Critics of the programme say a country that struggles to feed its people adequately and where roughly half have no toilets should not be splurging on space travel.
But observers say it is the perfect opportunity to showcase India's technological prowess as well as a chance for some one-upmanship on its rival Asian superpower.
"It's a low-cost technology demonstration," said Pallava Bagla, who has written a book on India's space programme.
"The rivalry between regional giants China and India exists in space too and this gives India the opportunity to inch ahead of China (and capture more of the market)," Bagla told AFP.
The decision to launch the mission was announced in a speech an Independence Day 2012, shortly after China's attempt flopped when it failed to leave Earth's atmosphere.
India has so far launched 40 satellites for foreign nations, since kickstarting its space programme five decades ago. But China launches bigger satellites.
The probe is expected to circle Mars for six months, about 500 kilometres from its surface. Its scientific instruments will collect data and send it back to Earth.
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Well done india .. Congratulation !!!
Great Comments from our Pakistani friends.. Technology, science and education will bring change nothing else will.
@Fatima Yasmeen: You represent the true spirits of an Indian Fatma. Reading your post, tears come to my eyes. What a proud nation we should be, and how proud we should all be of these untiringly working Scientists! I remember reading that when INCOSPAR was incorporated and they had looked at the VSSC land in Trivandrum they only had one problem to counter with. That is, in the midst of the land stood a Christian Church, the only church in the vicinity. It was to the credit of those Christians that they happily gave away the Chruch building to accommodate INCOSPAR now known as ISRO. The prayer hall was converted into an office and a cattle shed served as the R&D lab. The Bishop's house was also given away to INCOSPAR. From where to where has ISRO traveled? What kind of dedication was it? What kind of commitment? Today when we take the pride of the world, we must remember that TIFR Bombay and IISc in Bangalore supplied the first set of talented Scientists to INCOSPAR/ISRO. We must remember the Christians in Trivandrum. We must, else we cannot claim humanity and human spirit. Well, I hug you Fatima for sure!
@Sachin: Exactly Sachin. I have noticed the same not only in the US but in Dubai too. There is a certain place in Dubai called Al Karama, which is predominantly populated by Indians and Pakistanis. They live together like brothers and sisters with absolutely no animosity. In fact, they hate if an non-Indian or non-Pakistani occupies a flat in that location! Whenever I was in Dubai, most times my Driver would be a Pakistani. They had only one envy of India or Indians. They say Indians come there to work and once that is over, they settle back in their home country whereas Pakistanis having lived in UAE just do not want to go back to their home country. Suffice to say that one Pakistani Driver in Dubai, married to a Philippino, told me that he is happier there and his only connection with his home country is that he would like to send money every month to his Ammi Jaan. In fact, I developed such emotional bonds with Pakistanis in Dubai that I have several friends today even inside Pakistan - in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi and even KP. I have several good friends in Afghanistan too. By the way Afghans are probably the most hospitable people I have ever come across.
I have interacted with many Pakistani professionals when I was based in US. Must say that they are exactly like many of us, progressive, Intelligent, secular(they actually celebrated Diwali and holi with our families). Its about time that the Pakistani Middle class takes charge of Pakistan to rid it off their Political leadership (mostly Landlords, Mullahs) and Military who have vested interests in ensuring that relations with India never normalise so that they have complete control of Pakistan's resources and the lower class is kept occupied with Jihad and Kashmir....I remember in the midst of a job cut in our company....one of my Pakistani counterpart mentioned that I was lucky that I could atleast go back to India and continue with my career....but he couldn't even dream of going back to Pakistan and sustain his family.
@VINOD: Also, please tell this Nisar character to check out where Sunita Williams the famed female astronaut was born and originally educated. Ask him where Kalpana Chawla hailed from. Ask him about Mr. Sharma the first Indian man in space. Ask him who made the first missiles in the world - Tipu Sultan of Mysore or AQ Khan? Ask him who is Dr. Tessy Thomas (incidentally a University mate of mine) and who is the first woman Project Director of an inter continental ballistic missile capable of travelling over 8000 KM, able to hit deep inside China and even parts of Europe? Ask him how many Dr. Abdul Kalams were born in Pakistan? Finally, ask him to send his children to School first. This Nisar character needs some bit of basic education outside of Madrassa.
@Muhammad Nasar: "I honestly do not believe Indians are capable of putting these sophisticated probes into space on their own."
Mr Nisar I request you to kindly check as to how many Indians are running the NASA. You will be shoced./.
As an Indian, I just love it, love it, LOVE IT that the first comment on this story is the "who cares" by Junaid. It is just so delicious.
I am an Indian working in Germany. I had tears in my eyes when I heard the news and I had been praying for success. Today when I went to work, I was congratulated by everyone as I entered my office. They all looked at me with a sort of new respect for what my country had achieved. I felt so tall. I felt I am no less than anyone else in the world. I am so proud to be an Indian.
Mukesh Choudhary
@Fatima Yasmeen:
Example of our Indian ingenuity Mukesh marowing line on Tribune forum about Mars Orbiter.
@Patrick J: Such claims by the Indian Governament will be open to audit and intense scrutiny by people and by the opposition. Also, ISRO will now be open to business enquiries and suddenly if they quote anything abnormally higher than 450 Cr, there will be something amiss. In any case, we the people on India prefer to believe our Govt rather than some guy who claims to work in NASA just because he has an Xtian name. Here is the the deal, send us proof that you work in NASA ( Even as a plumber ) and I will file an RTI here and get us the exact cost of mission Mangalyaan. Deal ? Or are you too busy fixing leaks ?
Very proud achievement by the Indian scientists on shoe-string budget. Thank you to all Pakistanis who have shown appreciations.
@Patrick J: Maybe you work as a janitor there because everyone including NASA and ESA knows that ISRO has proven ability to launch rockets through its workhorse, the PSLV. Even China said yesterday that the precision of India's Mars Orbiter Mission was "like hitting a golf ball from Tokyo into a hole in Paris."
@Patrick J: I work in NASA........
and I work for the Justice League as Batman!!!
@Muhammad Nasar: Wow never seen anyone so burned by others success. Alright dude, keep believing what you want to believe while we continue to march ahead. Good luck with your jealousy, I am liking it :).
@Inapakolla: It is all because of the brains of the gentle people of South India.
As a south Indian, I am rendered speechless by your idiocy. India succeeded because all Indians from all parts of India worked together in ways they could.
ISRO Chief K. Radhakrishnan is from my town of Irinjalakuda. Doesn't mean he and I could have built a rocket and sent it to Mars.
Good going Indians ... good going !!! Shabaash ...
@Usman, Ever heard of the phrase "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer?
I work in NASA and i want to share few facts:- 1. India launched this program with the help of NASA, Indians dont even have the capability to make a reliable rocket. 2. This joint venture was launched to counter China in space exploration, specially China's lunar program. 3. Indian Government is lying about the cost of program, in 450 crore Rs you even cannot pay all the scientists and worker working on such program.
Reading the above comments and the likes they received. Seems like Express Tribune is the most widely read newspaper in India
@Suneel: Homi Jehanzir Baba (Bhabha ) was a Parsi by religion not Musllim
@Usman: Indians are not obsessed with Pakistan but obsessed with the news about India in Pakistani newspapers. Hardly any Indian would comment on your dharna stories. However what I have noticed is that Pakistani news papers are obsessed about India because there is hardly a day when they don't print any opinion or article about India. Mind that I am not talking about news but editorial and opinion pieces and that does attract Indian readers.Plus, we have more internet access and more people who can read English.
@Inapakolla: Sorry to see your comments which almost goes to ethnic mudslinging. ISRO has ground stations almost throughout the country. It is just that they are headquartered in Bangalore. We have stations throughout the nation and every project is undertaken in collaboration with all the centres including the ones in Ahmedabad and Shillong. Every research also is in collaboration with IISc, IITs and other formidable research institutions like Tata Institute of Fundamental Research in Bombay and Birla Institute of Technology and Science in Pilani, Rajasthan. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was a Gujarati, Satish Dhawan a Kashmiri, both of whom were the visionaries that created INCOSPAR now called ISRO. Please do not try to divide India. All Indians are just Indians. I am a South Indian but I will never claim that any institution in my country, let alone ISRO, is of any particular region, caste or creed. We are Indians and we prefer to remain that way.
@Inapakolla: Surprised at the narrow minded bigotry, albeit of the ethnic kind. Please understand that your claim is false and merit and scientific capability are not the preserve of any ethnic grouping, race, color or religion. Both clever and dumb people exist everywhere.
@Junaid: yeah buddy why do people who live below poverty line should care ? All they are famous in the world are evident from their very vicious faces
It is all because of the brains of the gentle people of South India. This was a South Indian achievement, and has nothing to do with Modi or North India. All mission directors and even low level engineers in ISRO are South Indian.
If Mr. Z. A. Bhutto would have seen this day he would have said-
"We will eat grass, but one day we will send a spacecraft to Neptune"
@Shoaib: With this achievement India will corner much of 300 billion dollar space market. Nobody said that instead of spending money on computers and IT sector, India should build only toilets. Then India would have become only a toilet. All the scientific achievements and progress generates wealth and eradicates poverty. It is like spending money on fishing rod and teaching people how to fish rather than spending money on giving them fish. Do you understand the difference ?
@Tapas Ghosh: It was never meant to be a landing mission. It was meant to be an "orbiting mission". Only real successful landing mission so far has been NASA's Curiosity.
@Fatima Yasmeen: Unexpectedly people of both our countries share our joys............... hope politicians would understand that
@Honky Tonk Man: In India, we don't have no-go areas! Isn't that impressive enough!
India launched this mission successfully @ approximately 500,000,0000/= Indian Rupees and became the first Asian country in the world who reached Mars and raised India,Indians and Asia's heads with proud in the world by working honestly and sincerely and unfortunately this amount is wasted in corruption in Pakistan by Pakistani corrupt politicians on their luxuries and kingly life's styles monthly.Pakistani politicians have to learn the lesson from India.....
the first pics of Mars are out. Look them up on Facebook.
@Muhammad Nasar: @Idris: You say: "Only if this money could have been used to feed the the poor and have created more toilets for the populous. this is nothing more than waste of money"
@Muhammad Nasar: You say: "It would be unfortunate if Indias neighbour start wasting their money just because they have to do something, bad or good, to silence India. For that reason a hungery country instead of working on food, clean water and toilets is drawing other hungery countries to spend their money on glamerous projects of short lived excitement."
Here is something from today's ET: http://tribune.com.pk/story/766697/pakistan-and-cern/ Pakistan has beaten India by becoming an Associate Member of CERN. India is still an Observer and has not yet become an Associate Member of CERN. Though CERN is very much interested that India becomes an Associate Member, Government red-tape is holding India back. As an Associate Member, Pakistan must pay $10.7 million as its contribution to CERN every year whereas as an Observers India does not pay anything. Here are more details: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/pakistan/Pak-to-beat-India-to-associate-membership-to-Cern/articleshow/31075765.cms
Would @Muhammad Nasar and @Idris be criticizing Pakistan for not building toilets or feeding poor and wasting $10.7 million every year by becoming an Associate Member of CERN? Some can think only of toilets and do not place any value for knowledge. But these are very few in Pakistan as can be seen from the comments of over 99% of Pakistanis who have appreciated India's achievements and also wish to do the same.
@Anil Unnikrishnan,
If they have opted for a different country and they are jealous, so?. Why do you want to change it? We are doing pretty well without them and we will do even more better in the future.
My Dear Pakistani Brothers and Sisters,
I profusely thank each one of you for your candid response and congratulatory messages on account of ISRO's Mangalyaan reaching Mars on 24th Sep, 2014. We have matching DNA and same blood running in our veins. Pakistanis are equally talented as Indians, but unfortunately they do not get the right opportunity because the country is bogged-down in a perennial home made crisis. We are all one and descendants of the same race of the great Indian subcontinent. But, unfortunately, many of you still believe that you have Arab lineage then Indian lineage. Come, lets embrace and hug each other and walk together on the path of progress. -The Blue Dot
@Fahre Afghan: Yes,,Indians deserve congratulation,,,,it is prove that we southasians can do everything ,,,much better than rest of the world.....from pakistan
Our SUPARCO is still sleeping..... Every year huge money is spent on it...and no major results are produced by them.......
@Islooboy: Not the Hindus...we Indian have done.. remember India is a secular country and not a Hindu country.
@Junaid: My dear friend, if you didn't care then why did you bothered to comment on this?? Don't be jealous bhai. Jealousy is the reason behind hared and enmity. We in India does not hate Pakistani laymen and consider them as brethren . Don't forget that before 1947 we were one family and your leaders opted to part just for religion sake.
I am overwhelmed by the goodwill pouring forth from our neighboring Pakistanis netizens. Thank you so much, Pakistani friends. We hope that some day you too become a space faring nation. Together, we shall make South Asia a dominant region of the globe.
Just to put things in context for people here who are talking about waste of money.
Amount of money spent on the mars project = $76 million. The amount of money siphoned off by indian politicians in the 2G scam = $20 billion with a B.
No problem. Pakistan will go to mars, uranus and neptune all together in one shot after 90 days completion of "Naya Pakistan" led by IK and that too in rockets built by perpetual water powered engines. India, Whats your reply to that? Ah...Speechless...Thats what i thought..:-)
@vaqas: I wish all the pakistanis think like you.
@Hussain: You have good thoughts but need some correction. Your country did not get behind but was always behind because of the same reasons you cited. India tested the atomic bomb in May 1974.
The comments section goes to show just how much Indians are obsessed with Pakistan. I haven't visited an Indian newspaper website for years, yet, look at above.
@Mirza: Thanks for the positive comment. Good to see our Pakistani brothers congratulating ISRO. It is a proud moment for the both the countries.
Indian success is just a matter of Luck ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Ask any Pakistani.
It is a great Pleasure to ISRO Scientists...Great achievement
@Suneel:
Abdul Kalam is not the father of Indian Missiles. He is not the father of anything.
Please don't distort history like Pakistanis do. Or in other words stop lying.
India had missiles even before Abdul Kalam joined DRDO. Yes, he contributed to it, but he is not the father of anything.
He is not even the father of his own children. He is not married. I'm just being politically correct.
@Islooboy: You are sounding like a polluter at best ...
@Junaid: Those who cares to care (i.e., not the dung-beetles) ...
@AVPMPolpot:---Man you never fail to bring smile on my face --- take care
lot of people thinking that isro waste money on this mission. We earn 4408 core. By sending foreign satellites to earth orbit. Which 11 times more than what we spend on this mission. Do you have any idea how much isro can earn by sending foreign satellites to mars orbit. http://www.ibtimes.co.in/india-earns-4408-crore-by-launching-satellites-other-countries-604703
@Muhammad Nasar: Sour grapes? Well, you are right about one thing. USA (NASA) did provide the remote sensing data as the orbitor neared Mars. That apart, the satellites were designed by Indian scientists, the super "slingshot" maneuver were their own idea. I see even China congratulating India, so that should shut up everybody who doubts this as anything but indigenous. http://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2014/09/24/mission-accomplished-india-joins-mars-explorers (India's success shows the world that "they are now a force of capability ... that can be taken very seriously," said space expert Roger Franzen, the technical program manager at the Australian National University's Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics.
"India has an extremely well-developed space industry that manufactures everything from the components to the spacecraft to the instrumentation to the launch vessels," he said.) I think it is time people like you just shut up!
For all the naysayers here, let us rewind the history and look at what used to be called Indian subcontinent (the more fashionable word today is "South Asia"). Type in Angus McCallister in the google search box and read what he has to say how India became poor under the British. The British India, which includes today's India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, was, in the 1600s one of the richest nations in the world with GDP. Or better still, go to: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2012/06/the-economic-history-of-the-last-2000-years-part-ii/258762/ And see where we were. Study the graphs shown in that article. The British not only divided our land, they divided out minds too! We became victims of hatred perpetrated by the British, later encouraged by powerful establishment (on both sides of the border) that gains by it. It is time educated Pakistanis forged an alliance with likeminded people across the border and say NO to the hatemongers.
@Idris:
Only if this money could have been used to feed the the poor and have created more toilets for the populous. this is nothing more than waste of money
Only if our leaders were as intelligent as Pakistanis because they saved all the money and have built toilets all over Pakistan and fed the poor so much that there is virtually no poverty in Pakistan.Even the poorest Pakistani owns an Iphone,drives a Jaguar and lives in a skyscraper...Who cares about space after all...
@Murali: I agree with you entirely. The subcontinent is made of tremendously talented people. It has nothing to do with religion. Tessy Thomas, the first woman scientist to head a missile project is a christian from Kerala. Abdul Kalam, ex-President and former director of DRDO, is a muslim etc etc. It is the political dispensation that makes or mars a nation's progress. Nehruvian socialism led to India's stagnation. Today, I see Pakistan caught up in religious frenzy due to bad decisions of its political leaders in the past. As and when Pakistan comes out of this situation and forges a new relationship with India, we will see greater things happen in this part of the world.
@Anita: www.ibtimes.co.in › Science › Space. Anita ur right. I put this link not only for you on your support. But lot of people thinking that isro waste money on this mission. We earn 4408 core. By sending foreign satellites to earth orbit. Which 11 times more than what we spend on this mission. Do you have any idea how much isro can earn by sending foreign satellites to mars orbit. http://www.ibtimes.co.in/india-earns-4408-crore-by-launching-satellites-other-countries-604703
Father of Indian missiles Abdul Kalam, Father of Indian neucler science Homi Jehanzir Baba a muslim, World's richest muslim is from india who is india's third richest. In Indian space research organization many muslim scientists are working. We are a true secular and democratic country though we have some internal probelms with religion,caste,creed,poverty we are still living peacefully All top bollywood heroes are muslims, Though Hindus are strong numerically we still live peacefully with our muslim brothers and sisters. Pakistan people are very talented but all previous governments of pakistan spent lot of money in Arms procurement or missile development etc rather than focussing on science and technology and space research. IRAN is the only muslim country which is developing faster in space technology. So pakistan govt should focus on these neglected areas immediately.
Suneel
The toilet analogy for Mars is funny. I learnt the other day that Indians splurged 10 times more than the money spent on Mars mission on Diwali crackers. Now, that is something Indians may want to address. Space has a lot of spin offs, least of which is a huge commercial market of 500 billion dollars or more.
@Islooboy: It's not just the Hindus. If anything, it's the blood and sweat of proud Indians - Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, Christens, and all others denominations alike.
@Muhammad Nasar: Constantly monitored by NASA? I thought they were busy with their own Maven. I understand some Pakistanis like you tend to get a heart attack whenever India succeeds, but then keep it to yourself since it pretty much makes you a laughing stock.
@Idris: "Only if this money could have been used to feed the the poor and have created more toilets for the populous. this is nothing more than waste of money"
Please read the comment by @Raj
Separately India's education budget is 4.1% of GDP or around $74 billion a year. Budget for this mission was $74 million. Thus this budget was 0.1% of India's education budget. Even if it achieved nothing more than motivate more students to learn science - it would have earned its return merely as an initiative in education. This is not even considering the revenue streams that this creates for India or the enhanced scientific capacity.
@Moiz Omar: "Recently the US Embassy in Islamabad hosted an event where they got another Pakistani American NASA scientist to speak about her life and work. She works on the Mars Curiosity Rover project. Hopefully we will one day also send a mission to Mars successfully."
Wish you and Pakistan all the best.
To those who are criticizing this achievement, have a heart and give credit where its due.
We can easily say to our neighbour "Fix poverty in your country before spending on such ambitious initiatives"
Then our neighbour can easily reply "As if your government gives a damn about the poor. Newsflash: PM of Pakistan staying in the most expensive hotel in New York"
Anyhow, to my Indian friends, "Congratulations on this landmark national achievement!"
@Muhammad Nasar, that is a pathetic attempt to bellitle India's achievement. Nobody is going to give anyone their own researched and developed technologies just like that. India has repeatedly performed these kind of activities like Chandrayaan and numerous development and launch of satellites. India has ALREADY acquired capabilities for such missions. Fighter planes and satellites/rockets are developed by different institutions. Results may vary. As for keeping the Mars Orbiter on course, NASA provided telemetry and telecommand services when Mars Orbiter was non-visible to ISRO's Telemetry, Tracking and Command Network. You need telemetry and telecommand network all around the globe for uninterrupted visibility of a satellite. India doesn't have that network as it will require putting large network of antenna's in different countries around the globe and USA has these facilities all around the globe.
Only if this money could have been used to feed the the poor and have created more toilets for the populous. this is nothing more than waste of money
@INDIANS
So many comments in this article.All congratulating you.You must focus why .
Please dont consider this as a victory for merely India , and dont let it serve as fuel for arrogance.
It is a victory for humanity .
That is what should be the biggest source of pride for you guys.
And CONGRATULATIONS from me too :)......
People of Pakistan are as smart as any person in India or world. The problem with Pakistan is it's Mullahs. As long Pakistan would adhere to Maulvees culture and thinking country will be left behind. People have to leave that at their home or heart, and treat and respect people of other faith or belief. Much of the time is spent on religious hoopla and hoodlum if that time is done for better purpose, country would be much better off. Mullahs will be looking some other means to make their living or would do some thing better for the land.
Good to see the reaction from pakistani's. Atleast not everyone is acting like hafiz saeed.
Congratulations India. I also feel proud as our forefathers were great Indians before partition.
@AVPMPolpot: You sound very excited and why not? Who cares if this Mars mission has been constantly monitored and kept enroute by NASA. Who cares if the crucial compnents of the technology were either delibrately and intentional provided by other nations or a blind eye was turned allowing ISRO to steal. What these excited Indians do not know is that their country is being trapped as a counterweight to China. The problem will arise when these foreign sources of engineering are no longer available because I honestly do not believe Indians are capable of putting these sophisticated probes into space on their own. They have unsuccessfully tried for decades to build a light weight fighter aircraft even when they only had to add no more than an Indian made frame. They are trying to run before they can achieve a balanced walk. It would be unfortunate if Indias neighbour start wasting their money just because they have to do something, bad or good, to silence India. For that reason a hungery country instead of working on food, clean water and toilets is drawing other hungery countries to spend their money on glamerous projects of short lived excitement.
@thinker: u think
I was glad to see lot of Sari clad women space scientists in pictures of some other website
news.http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-26077503
Why I support this mission, though there are poor in India?
What people who have studied Maths & Science should do? People put effort to complete their post graduation to become scientist and engineers? Should they build toilets? India should channelize youth energy in nation building, otherwise they will build some other nation like helping USA or some Arab country.
Did the $80 million spent on this mission went to the Mars? No it did not. Only rocket went. The $80 million was invested on the indian economy and specifically in manufacturing and scientific sector. Contracts were given and Jobs were created in the economy. The SME who build nuts and bolts to the bigger organization who build complex heat shields got benefited. A demand for scientists was created in the economy and salary's were paid. So basically money was invested in the economy and for the future generation. Now India will get benefited 100x times as it will get orders for Out-sourced satellite launches which will in-turn create scientific jobs in the economy.
This is an Investment not an expenditure. Giving food is expenditure, because country has to support that person for life but investments make countrymen self-sufficient by jobs - "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."
Another thing, If you get 10 lakh rupees, should you give a big party to everyone and finish it off OR give party in 5 lakh and remaining 5 lakh is invested for future (business or deposit in bank). This mission is an investment to the future. A journey of thousand miles starts with a single step. A country cannot achieve all these things in 5 years, once it becomes rich. It is a long and continuous process. Otherwise all the european countries would have achieved this by now.
A country is like a parent. A parent is ready to forgive 1 meal per day for sending his child to school. Should we say parent should have taken 3 meals a day without sending child to school.
Knowledge should be transferred from generation to generation and through hands-on training. You cannot learn swimming by reading a book or a fresh medical graduate can't do heart surgery without doing it practically under a guidance of the master. Such missions helps the countries to transfer the knowledge from generation to generation. For example, NASA cannot send a moon landing mission to moon in now, because today's generation of scientists have to go through that complete process practically not theoretically.
A generation of youth got inspired and will be diverted into scientific studies. 24x7 coverage of this news with all the graphics and examples in the TV and news paper will inspire a generation into scientific study. This was observed in 1960s America. Now because of this explanations in TV, students will understand these concepts in schools as teacher explains as part of the syllabus.
@Islooboy: Congratulations Hind!!! The Hindus have done it!!! . If you mean "Indians" then FINE, but, if you are referring to RELIGION then it is Indian Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jains, Muslims, Jews and Zoroastrians along with all the "Sects" in each Religion. Cheers
Everyone buddy, never mind if you are ignorant enough to not look around or egoistic enough to not appreciate anyone@Junaid:
@thinker
India has already sent a successful mission to moon in 2008, read about Chandrayaan. ISRO is planning another mission to moon on 2016.
@Islooboy: Nope. "Indians" have done it. I am sure there were Christians, Muslims and Sikhs on the team. This is a double whammy of pride for me. The project director Annadurai is an alumni of my college.
thanks all muslim brothers who congratulated on mangalyaan mission
From the Himalayas to the Seas... we have always been one people for millennia even though we may be separated by borders, religion etc. for a few decades. This is an achievement that all of us from South Asia have to be proud of ... Lets focus on science and all differences will dissolve
@No men are forgein: Indeed. I think @Junaid's coment is the very first comment and hence noticed by all. I for one thanked many of the PAkistani brethren who have been gracious.
We (Pakistan) instead of being jealous should work hard to get this, but surely not in this govt-otherwise expenses will cross world's cummulative reserves (corruption!)
I am Pakistani but feeling extra jubilant of this success of India. Many many congrats dear Indians and hats off to team.
@Islooboy: ... And Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, etc
@Mirza: Thank you, brother, for your good wishes. It is not just a triumph for India but for all South Asians (and we proudly include Pakistanis as well). There is a joke going around that once India establishes a colony on mars, the entire Indian nation should re-settle there and start life anew. But I personally believe that our planet earth is still the best for all of us -- and we should shed hatred and prejudices so that we can not only survive but also progress and prosper. The field of astronomy fascinates the majority of Indians who are taught from their very infancy about other planets and life on these planets. This combined with a strong interest in science and mathematic has gone a long way to create a large pool of highly talented people who can virtually tackle any discipline.
@Junaid
Sorry to hear that you do not care. But, ironically, your "I-don-t-care" attitude betrays an "I-do-care" because in your subconscious state of mind you are closely monitoring what goes on in your neighbouring country. Your attitude also, sadly, betrays a deep sense of insecurity, resentment and envy, all of which combine to create a hateful "I-don't-care" attitude. But, believe it or not, many Indians did care about Pakistanis after the devastating floods in Pakistan; we sincerely wish that the poor people, in particular, bounce back to their feet and demonstrate their resilience in the face of such odds. Believe you me, the only way to move forward is to start caring for each other! That's the mantra, dear friend. By changing your heart and mind, you and the rest of the Pakistanis, who were born and brought up with hatred in their hearts as a result of the poison fed to you by the mullahs and the military, you can make these hate-mongering people completely redundant. The mullahs are cowards, essentially, because they create an environment in which they alone thrive at the expense of the common man who is asked to wage wars and killings - and also getting killed in the process -- while the mullahs sit comfortably in their bungalows and have the last laugh. No mullah will send any of his sons or daughters to commit the inhuman crimes in the name of religion.
As an Indian, it is overwhelming to observe that lot of Pakistani readers genuinely congratulating India. Thank you
We all south asians including srilanka ,india,pakistan n bangladesh had a very bad mentality that we never think beyond our limits . Poverty n illiteracy r considered as the most terrible problems but poverty will standstill even if the citizens are not ready to work hard or not ready to send their children to school .No government can do nothing ....
Congratulations to our Indian friends. I wish we could send our Nawaz Sharif to Mars !
Very proud of our beaitiful neighbour
@Junaid: "China on Wednesday hailed India's successful Mars orbiter mission - the first such success by an Asian country - as the "pride of India" and the "pride of Asia", and said it was interested in working together with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on future projects".
Congratulations India.
It was wonderful to read the spontaneous words of grace of the Pakistanis that have congratulated India.@ Murali: thanks for your fine post. Bravo!
Congratulation team India. May the hard working Indian conquer Mars & a lot more. Congrats from Afghanistan, our sincere friend India.
@No men are forgein: Well, I agree with you. A majority of comments have been congratulatory in nature. And some few Junaids cannot represent Pakistan, as they are in a minority. In fact, today these posts are mostly questioning the Pakistani rulers' attitude. It is in a way a public outcry for modernization of the polity. I am convinced there are no people to people hatred, it is just political in nature.
@Junaid: Not you and your backward frozen brains I guess but the world does care and has made progress through science rational thinking.so the world does not care for the likes of you or your thoughts.
Hats off to all ISRO Scietist! Great Achievement as for as Indias concern and for the whole mankind.U all did a wonderfuljob, Could not be done without dedication, Team spirit and PATRIOTISM.Very Very low cost MOM as compared to other countries budget.This all shows your true spirit,patriotism and love for the country.
Many of my fellow Indians has repulsively commented @Junaid. Can't you see & reply @Mirza and many others? Probably blindfolded and don't want to see positive. Please try to comment more responsibly especially on international portals. Moreover genius has no nationality. Every scientific achievement belongs to humanity not to nationality. If Norman Barlaug constrained his researches in national boundaries, both India & Pakistan could have been dying of hunger till date. Cheers to India for the achievement and and cheers to Pakistan for success of this low cost technology which can be replicated in developing countries.
@Shoaib: India spends 4.1% of its GDP on education i.e $72 billion on education each year. This mission cost 740 million one time. So the notion that not doing this mission would have somehow made illiteracy go away or poverty go away is misplaced.
I have a couple of points to mention here. Firstly, I am quite happy to see positive comments and congratulations from Pakistan, barring a few may be. It reinforces my belief that the trouble in our relationship is essentially politically motivated and not either religiously or on a people to people basis. On either side, obviously, there are are some barren heads who would like to keep the hatred on for ever, so they remain in power and influence. Secondly, I feel Pakistan is also capable of doing tremendous things. The reason why they have not been able to do something like this is simply a lack of political will and lack of a secular democratic fabric as also lack of proper scientific leadership. The Indian space program was started with a vision and that vision has been carried through to this day. The legendary Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the matchless Prof. Satish Dhawan, the scientific genius of Prof. MGK Menon, followed by Dr. Kastrurirangan, Prof. CNR Rao, Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, G. Madhavan Nair and Dr. Radhakrishnan, supplemented by such stalwarts like Dr. Homi Bhaba and Dr. Raja Ramanna. There have been people of all beliefs and faiths - Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Parsis and what not. Countless leaders have been developed within ISRO who will take it obviously forward and they are not limited to any caste or creed. Unfortunately, such a well programmed activity or successive leadership was missing in Pakistan. While I am obviously proud as an Indian that our Scientists have done the unthinkable (a slingshot technology all conceived at ISRO, a very low budget success and a rather unusual route to reach MARS, coupled with the fact that we do not yet have a proven GSLV with cryogenic engine), I have no doubts that Pakistan is equally capable, if only a vision and will to accomplish are there. I will obviously be the first to post a positive comment and congratulatory message on ET when Pakistan achieves something like this for enhancing human knowledge, prosperity and happiness. Such pride can alone destroy the hatred in some vested interests' minds. Best of luck you guys and thanks once again for the mostly congratulatory tone of your message. As for India today is a proud day for us and we owe it to our never-tiring-minded Scientists.
@Honky Tonk Man ,you are really a very sensual person dude......i really enjoy your's satirical posts........but i feel that behind your funny comments there's a sensible & sensual person in your heart to his core.....may god bless you and people like you in Pakistan dear.............
Thank you all the well wishers from India and Pakistan. Lets hope we share more such positive news than exchanging bullets at the border. Long live humanity!
All the detractors trying to pitch in poverty argument, should remember the Discriminatory NTP treaty that the world signed in 1964! If you are not there then no one would count you in! Its not far when world would create some sort of treaty to limit space exploration to few dominant players and this time India does not want to be left behind!!
Dear Friends, This is a great achievement for India and Asia. I am an Indian. I just wanted to see the comments in Pakistan media. It was a pleasant surprise for me that you all have given very positive comments. I hope soon Pakistan & India resolves all the issues and we focus on development. I thank you all of brothers & sisters of Pakistan for your positive comments and wishes. I think that differences have been created by few individuals and all of us are suffering. May I request you all to spread the positive attitude among your fellow citizens towards India.
As a Pakistani, I believe the criticism of this mission is unwarranted. It is a proof of concept that demonstrates great technological achievement at a nominal cost compared to other space missions. Congratulations to ISRO & Indians.
Makes me jealous. But at the same time kudos to you india. And let this be a lesson for all the crazies in our country and see how far ahead have the indians gone from us. You with your our army is great and we are the bastion of the religion, and somehow superior to others , should open their eyes and realize that we as a nation are stuck in the stone ages.
Welldone India. Great accomplishment for your nation.
Congrats ISRO and all scientists who achieved it......Now Modi ji should introduce space technology from the college level
it's a big achievement for India's space program as they became successfull only in their's first maiden attempt for reaching Mars by sending a probe there...congratulations to them....may all the region's countries including China, India, Pakistan,Sri Lanka, S.A.A.R.C. and A.S.E.A.N. associations could come together and enhance cooperation between them for buliding a robust collective space program on the model of 'European Space Agency' & 'International Space Station' for greater cause of serving the whole Asian region and humanity............
@Fatima Yasmeen: So Sweet...After reading your comment i want to hug you.....
@thinker: It is because life might have existed in Mars earlier. We need to know what happened to that life and atmosphere.
Congrats ISRO !!. Tribute to Vikram Sarabhai, Aryabhata, Swamy Vivekananda, Acharya Chanakya and all Indian scientists. We salute all scientists who sacrificed their happiness and worked with great dedication to fulfill the dream of all Indians to become the first country to successfully launch space craft on its first attempt. Great moment of pride for all Indians across the world. Millions Congratulations to all my fellow Indians. Vandemataram !
@Junaid:
That is exactly what the Turkish Sultan Said when he heard the Catholic Nation of Spain had found a new continent called America..." Who cares ? You ask ..we all should care if we know whats good for us .
Congrats not only to India but whole of Asia....
well...its a big achievement for India...i congratulate to all my indian freinds..SUPARCO (Pakistan's air space organization) should also compete on this level
Woke up just a while back after spending a sleepless night and rising early to catch the DD telecast from 6:45 onward. Nail biting suspense, a stupendous achievement and an inspirational speech!
Am always proud to be an Indian, but am a little more prouder now. We Indians should realize that we are capable of building some of the most advanced technologies on the planet and operating them with pinpoint precision.
First success is a real success while many developed countries failed. India has become a knowledge hub in space sciences, medical, software, agriculture and human resources. Congrats India. Every Indian is proud by this great achievement.
@Islooboy: India is a secular country and tis a victory for all, not only Hindus.
@Junaid: Obviously you do!
Congratulations to the Indian scientists and engineers from Melbourne, Australia. You have made every Asian proud.
Its moments like this which bring people togetrher. I can sense the paplable hapiness in the comments of Pak People commenting hear. Nice to see this generosity of praise.
All this teaches us one thing that we are better off when we have shared goals rather than confrontation which has been a hall mark of our relations by umpteen kind of ruling class, for the mere sake of remaining in power and keeping the people deprived of the knowledge of their real worth.
Like @ Junaid's comment deserves negation so does all others who are makiing a mcokery of Dharna's by IK..Democracy evolves with time and IK is just being the change agent. So do not shoot the messenger...
even we had our share of political dharnas , emergency in 1975 , but people have become more informed about their rights as a result of that.
PS : Had dharnas not happened , I suppose that Ex- minister would have shamelessly boarded the Aircraft even after being the reason of such delay..
@ Fatima Yasmeen.. share the sentiment . Felt like weeping the moment MOM was decalred to have been placed in the Mars orbit.
Long live human spirit of quest to know the unknown.
Regards
If there was an astronaut aboard the MOM...... +++++++++++++++++++++++++++ H/she would find Pakistanis and Indians or for that matter all earth dwellers very much the same.( Ms GP65............am capable of deeper thoughts as well)
@Gp65: " @AVMPolpot: i have indicated that i usually enjoy your posts but gloating at someone’s misery (floods) or during moment of success (now) – avoidable. My 2 cents." ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Madam, I have noted your views that lead me to believe that you are a school teacher...eternally hopeful of improving people.
For some of ignorant people who are still pointing that money could be used for slum, poverty etc. These two are different things. A country can not invest directly to remove poverty slum etc. There is billion dollars space market. These kinda achievements will create job opportunities. People will get more jobs and sooner and later poverty will go so please stop pointing worthless comments.
Poverty can be only removed
1) better education 2) job opportunities 3) Business environment etc
And they are doing good in all aspects. What our leaders are doing..Dharnas????
Don't be Jealous much @Junaid otherwise after 20 to 30 years you type of people wiil be dying by seeing indian success and development. Mission was not only for india it is for whole world and mankind.
Congratulate India and Indians!
It's important to reach far to find out what you are capable of. This is a great achievement. Congratulations to all who made it possible. Not an Indian, but proud nevertheless.
surprising to see positive comments from the neighbor
@Shoaib: as far as your noble concern about our poverty and stupefying mitigation solutions were absolutely unparalleled,never heard of in a country with 1.2 billion brains.must be a imran khan fan
@Syed Hasan Atizaz - "now please do us a favor, move your people and your country in mars. obviously reaching to unknown and meeting your friends(aliens) there will surely make you remember your history. be proud of your yourself and leave the planet EARTH."
...And you will continue to blame us - the new Martians, our friends(aliens) for all the problems in your country on earth, by indulging in some weird conspiracy theories.
@FAZ: look around Europe .Most of them are smaller than you.What you have achieved and where they are! you are still crying about who won the last election!And Pakistan is a zero poverty,100 % literate nation.lol!
India's Mars project cost is Pak Rs 7.4b ($74m). Our Isl-Rwp Metro Bus project cost Rs 44b! WHAT!!!!
@Junaid: At-least 1.2+ Billion people of a country, which has set up an example of extreme intellectual and technological supremacy, having taken the world by storm, care!
@Junaid: Right , you are only concerned about your religion meanwhile the world has literally touched the moon. This is time for other Asian nation to roll up the sleeves and leverage their technology. Only technology can bring any nation out of poverty & suffering.
@Islooboy: It is an Indian achievement not Hindu because the Scientists are from across India from every ethnicity and religion. Those who seek knowledge know no barriers or boundaries, the human brain has to be unshackled if we want to truly discover its capability. So far we humans have used only 1% of mental and spiritual capacity, we need to really strive and persevere for speedier progress.
Proud moment for all southasians....may this technological feat brings a spill over effect in other neighbouring countries!
Congratulation to all Indians, It is a big victory indeed
It has not reaches mars,it has reaches mars orbit.Landing on mars is quite different thing, it will take more time for India to land on mars surface.However,its a great acheivement for india to reach mars orbit on first chance. It will inspire their young generation for a long time
@AVPMPolpot: With the kind of infrastructure, literacy and economy you guys had, and that too multiplied by 8 times the human resource i guess I should feel proud of what we have achieved and the matter that you are stuck with comparing your great India with Pakistan even today. Dont you look around? China to begin with? Anyways congratz to all Indians for this milestone. Hope you do find a share in the 300bn industry. Thats more important
now please do us a favor, move your people and your country in mars. obviously reaching to unknown and meeting your friends(aliens) there will surely make you remember your history. be proud of your yourself and leave the planet EARTH. thank you!!
@sabi: @Shahid: @Salman: @Aschraful Makhlooq: @Mirza
Thank you all.
@AVMPolpot: i have indicated that i usually enjoy your posts but gloating at someone's misery (floods) or during moment of success (now) - avoidable. My 2 cents.
Mission cost $75 mn about Rs500 crore. India spends Rs5000 crores on diwali crackers each year. Rs500 crore is less than what single city Delhi spends on one wedding season. Rs500 crore is peanut compared to amount spent on CWG games. Rs 500 crore is the cost of a single old multi storied building in Mumbai. And about the turnover of a single chaddi-banyan company.....
Great achievement. It only shows there is nothing wrong in the genetic makeup of South Asians. If we can set our eyes on the target, we can achieve it.
It is a landmark occasion for the Indian Space Research Organization and will hopefully kindle interest among children to pursue a career in Science. With this India become the first country in the World to put a Spacecraft into Martian orbit on the very first attempt. India also becomes the first Asian nation to do so beating both the Japanese and Chinese in the race to Mars. That the achievement came on a shoestring budget of $ 74 million, has left the world in awe. A total distance of 650 million kilometers was traveled over nine months and today after a long journey, the spacecraft was successfully put into Martian orbit. India must continue its efforts to push the frontiers of cutting edge Technologies so that the spinoffs of these Scientific developments can help pull a large section of the population out of poverty. It is also the only way to narrow the gap between the developing and developed countries. Congratulations to the dedicated Scientists who made the achievement possible !
I am very pleased and humbled by congratulatory messages posted by 99.99% of our Pakistani friends. Long live peace & love !!
For the sake of Research, i congratulate scientists and Engineers of India on this milestone.
Dear Pakistanis, No religious rants, anti Modi comments and No poverty talks please. We are enjoying the moment. You are welcome to join us by naming this mission as South Asian Journey. Your anti comments will not spook the party.
Congratulations India!
In a country where millions and millions of people live in slums without proper food, water and shelter - this accomplishment is really strange to me. Had this money, and all the other expenses that made this mission possible, was used for poverty alleviation, or on education - i think that might have been a greater victory for the country.
Anyway, heartiest congratulations to our neighbors.
Congrats to India on this great achievement. As a Pakistani, I hope Pakistan will be able to one day do such a thing.
@Junaid: if you had not cared, you wouldn't have visited this page... let alone type in the comment section. know thyself ... as the saying goes :)
@Hussain: "Really, we need to look at our neighbor and gauge where and how we have fallen behind. There is plenty of catching up to do. I am up for it, but unfortunately I dont see too many others in my country who are willing to put in an honest shift for a better future."
Trust me - so many of us Indians want Pakistan to become just a "normal" country and move on. You are so right in describing what is wrong with Pakistan's approach. Let us hope together that soon things will work out for our neighbor. India itself has a long long way to go, but the path is set. It'll reach there someday.
Can't Pakistan follow the same proven path?
Well Done India. Your scientists deserve every bit of praise the world gives them.
@Junaid: All sane people
it's secularism and democracy that led this success. I think if there were no religion then human would have reached beyond the milky way. Religion seems me hurdle.
@Mirza.... We are certainly twin brothers... But it will take another 100 years to behave like brothers. In next 100 years, there will be more educated & secular people like u...
@junaid World does. Junaid saab this is the attitude which is detrying us all. You should be happy and try to do the same for your country.
Pakistan will fire a 100 km range missile today as a response demonstrating its technological superiority over India. Burrahhhh.
@Junaid: The grapes are sour, aren't they?
@Junaid: The whole world cares, except people like you. Get a life man!
Good going ISRO and India.You make us proud...we have to learn from India
@Junaid: NASA does.
Congratulations India on this greatest ever achievement and victory and on becoming the first Asian country in the world which reached Mars.This is also a proud for the Asia also as well that India has done this marvelous job in the world because before India conquering the space achievement belonged to the advanced Western countries and USA.....
@Junaid: "who cares?" I do, the world does. All intelligent human beings acknowledge this to be a significant stride in the history of humankind. Be a little charitable.
I am so happy today that the news of success of Indian Mars Mission brought tears to my eyes. I am feeling sooo proud of my country. I feel like hugging everyone.
There is 300 billion dollar market for global space stattelite launch Indias care that why they demonstrated their capability to increase business , I wish our people have common sense to focus on things that matter then nonsense@Junaid:
Congratulations to India and another eye opener for us in Pakistan as to how fast we are getting left behind. What a downfall from the time when we were economically and socially ahead of India.
@Junaid..You should care.It will be a big boost for India in $200bn Space Science Industry.Now Indian Space Industry along with IT and Pharma Industry will be a big money earner for India. "Acche din aa gaya hain".
@Junaid
Who cares? The whole world, except perhaps you. This news is all over the world media. Jealous much?
I congratulate Indian Nation. Who will care about the life exist and dying on earth. ???? Roll back this useless mission, please.
Congrats ISRO and India. Before some ignorant friends start talking about Indian poverty and need for space programme etc pls do google the benefits and far reaching effects of the indian space program on poverty alleviation, agriculture and education.
@Junaid:
Who cares? The whole world perhaps except you. Jealous much?
Great achievement neighbours!
@Junaid: ET and liberals in Pakistan really cares, meanwhile you keep stick your head in the sand.
i wonder why no one attempts to go to the moon but targets Mars... Moon is so close, there should have been multiple journeys there up till now.... the question did we really land on the moon arises!!
India on fire since Modi became PM. Happy to have a great leader as our PM.
Congratulations and thanks to scientists at ISRO for making us a proud Bharatvaashi.
Congratulations Hind!!! The Hindus have done it!!!
This just makes us Indians so glad... We have come a full circle.... Inching back to the top of the world.. One step at a time... Luckiest part of this for my generation is WE ARE WITNESSING THE HISTORY AS IT HAPPENS....
Hope that Pakistan competes with us here than on the battle ground..
It is huge, very huge, success for the Indian scientists. The Mars mission cost just $74 million, compared to NASA's much bigger satellite mission that cost nearly $700 million.
@Junaid: says " who cares " . Why would you when you depend on aid as your name implies . A better name would be Allaid .
In 1947 two countries launched on a journey +++++++++++++++++++++++ Today one reached Mars the other, D Chowk.
Congrats India
Hail mother india... Excellent job ISRO....! Keep us making proud....!
Oh big deal India... you want to Impress Pakistanis? Send your police into one of our no go areas....
@Junaid:
You don't care? No wonder you are ignorant and stuck in the dark Stone Age.
meanwhile dharna enters 40 days
@Junaid: Irony is, you are the first one to comment on this news despite your absolutely no interest.
@Junaid: You don't represent sane Pakistan. Jealousy doesn't hurts other but one who is jealous.Those who contribute to exploring nature can't be bad people hence they need to be acknowledged. @Mirza: We'll said kudos.
@Junaid: Who cares ? The world cares, its news in every leading news papers. If you had cared enough you would be having one satellite too. Cheers brother :)
Who cares !! Go Nawaz Go
Bravo India.. Congratulations!!
Congratulations to India.
We however are still struggling with basic social issues. The overwhelming mullah influence, the issues relating to faith, corruption, and nepotism, have completely halted progress. When will we wake up? The only way forward is through education and honest hard-work. Two things we seem fundamentally opposed to. No progress, no improvement, until we get our priorities right.
Really, we need to look at our neighbor and gauge where and how we have fallen behind. There is plenty of catching up to do. I am up for it, but unfortunately I dont see too many others in my country who are willing to put in an honest shift for a better future.
To the critics that label this wonderful scientific success as a splurge because India has many people who do not have access to toilets, I ask - would those people miraculously have gotten toilets if somehow this mission had been scrapped?
Yes there are many fronts on which the country has to move forward including malnutrition, education infrastructure, health infrastructure, sanitation and so on. But focus on any one initiative cannot mean that all other initiatives should be abandoned.
This quite apart from the fact that India's space mission actually generates revenues and also helps to reduce human suffering and economic losses by minimising adverse impact of natural disasters.
@Junaid: People all over the world, my friend, all over the world. Even in a land where millions of hatreds exist, you take the cake!
We know we will do it. India is capable of amazing things if it works with honesty and shed some mid night oil.
It's a great achievement regardless of the conditions back on earth (poverty, toilets).
The orbit-insertion part was the most difficult - a small error and either the satellite would have crashed or flew out of the orbit. Controlling all that sitting 215 million kilometers away is awesome for the Indians or anyone else who has done it.
Furthermore I would ask people of my country instead going for arms race go for healthy race that is ,exploring hidden truths of universe. And you will see in short time there will be left no disputes. Aye kaash aye kaash!
Proud of you ISRO! Great Work. One request to pakistani friends, no poverty and toilet stories please.
@Mirza:
Congrats and thanks to you......it is a proud moment for all South Asians..
@Mirza:
Thanks buddy
Congratulations to India. As for your neighbours Pakistan, we are at present in a sit-in in front of the parliament to cause disruptions in governance. Once we have dislodged the Government, we shall think what to do next.
Congrats guys......a truly proud moment for all Indians.
Congrats to Indian scientists for this amazing feat. We need to work more on GSLV Mark II and Mark III to make it capable to launch crew module and heavier satellites. Kudos !!
Stupendous achievement considering the Indians only spent a tiny fraction of the amount that the Americans spent. Even more astonishing is the fact that unlike the Russians or the Chinese, the Indians managed an engineering feat in their very first attempt. Entire humanity is bound to benefit from this mission.
I'm very proud indian.
This is really a great achievement and right ground for Indians to be proud of. Congrates India.
Proud to be an Indian. Congratulations to all the hardworking scientists.
Our heartiest congratulations our neighbor and twin brother. Indian democracy and secularism is bearing lots of fruits.
Victory for science, India, peace and mankind !!
Who cares?