Some interesting observations on Mars-mission-day

There are some who question the relevance of space activities in a developing nation. To us, there is no ambiguity of purpose. We do not have the fantasy of competing with the economically advanced nations in the exploration of the moon or the planets or manned space-flight. But we are convinced that if we are to play a meaningful role nationally, and in the community of nations, we must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to the real problems of man and society. - Dr. Vikram Sarabhai

Many individuals with myopic vision questioned the relevance of space activities in a newly independent nation, which was finding it difficult to feed its population. Their vision was clear if Indians were to play meaningful role in the community of nations, they must be second to none in the application of advanced technologies to their real-life problems. They had no intention of using it as a means of displaying our might. - Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Some of interesting observations on Mars-mission-day

• Mars (मंगल) mission starts on Tuesday (मंगलवार).
• Blockbuster film spends more than 100 crore rupees and hardly creates any milestone. Indian film industry produces more than 1200 films and has reached overall revenue of more that 100 billion a year [1]. Few of them becomes a member of elite "100 crore" club. ISRO has spent merely 450 crores on Mars mission. Experience and results out of this mission would create a long lasting impact on space history of India, generate revenue, and put Indian scientists in front-runners.
• Interestingly oppose to such historic deed comes by-n-large from the people who uses some social media for time-pass, who are fan of some or other Khan, who are fans of some or other cricketer etc. The people who don't know why tele-communication that has become so affordable, who don't know what ISRO has done - INSAT series, specialized satellites e.g. Radar imaging, spying, navigation etc, military applications e.g. missile launching, implementing bio-diversity info system, application to tele-medicine and many other achievements [2].
• Today during after-launch speech, Prof Yashpal said " People all over India spends more than 5000 crore and sends Diwali rockets to about 100 feet height and ISRO spends 10% of it and sends rockets to a distance more than 40 lakh Km."
• Spending ransom amount on cricket, wasting plenty of man-hours in watching cricket, add to it the match fixing, is OK for many. It doesn't harm pace of development ! ( Remind you Indian cricket team plays 30+ ODI, 30+ T20 and 5+ tests every year and BCCI is private body). ISRO / India tests its engineering capabilities by conducting such mission for the first time merely spending 450 crores, it is questioned by many. India being a developing nation and how it could afford the expenditure? Why such a waste? and what not !

I think there are some answers to such a divide:

• Common man is not directly affected / benefited by what ISRO does.
• There is no glamour around such stories.
• Money matters !
• For many thinking complex, experiencing non-entertaining programs is above capability. 
• It is easy to blame !

Changing the attitude of common man is the major hurdle in making India a superpower. I agree, films, cricket, or any entertainment is good, its essential. However these commodities can't be prioritized over education, health, and basic infrastructure. As pointed out by many thinkers, uplifting literacy percentage, imparting quality education, and quality high-education will be the key to growth.

The complete video of launch:

Reference:

1. http://cbfcindia.gov.in/CbfcWeb/fckeditor/editor/images/Uploadedfiles/file/Publications/ANNUAL_2011.pdf

2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Space_Research_Organisation