Dr Jitendra, ISRO Chairman term it a milestone
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Oct 11: What can be called a milestone in the history of Jammu and Kashmir or Northern region of the country, Central University of Jammu signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs), one with Indian Space and Research Organisation (ISRO) for establishment of Satish Dhawan Centre for Space Sciences in University Campus at Raya near here and another with Centre for Space Instrument Organisation (CSIO).
For ISRO, the MoU was signed by Secretary Department of Space and ISRO Chairman, Dr K Sivan and Registrar of CU while the MoU for CSIO was signed by Dr H S Sarddana, Director CSIR-CSIO with Registrar CU in presence of Union Minister of State in PMO with Independent Charge of North Eastern States and MoS Department of Atomic Energy, Dr Jitendra Singh, former Chairman ISRO, Dr K Radhakrishan , Vice Chancellor CU, Ashok Aima, Chairman & CEO, JK Bank, Parvez Ahmed and Dr S Sardhana , Director CSR.
Click here to watch video
The MoU was signed at CU Campus during the inauguration of national workshop on Imagining of Future of Space Sciences & its Strategic Importance and laying the foundation of Satish Dhawan Centre for Space Science, which is first of its kind in North India.
Dr Jitendra Singh, who was the special guest on the occasion, in his address, termed it a great day for Jammu when for the first time in the history of the State of J&K brilliant brains of world gathered together under one roof here. “It is a great day for Jammu and Central University that such genius people have gathered under one roof here”, he added.
He said by touching Northern and North Eastern regions of country “I can say that ISRO has fully become Pan Indian now”.
Maintaining that India is of global world, he said “if we have to live up to that level and if we want to become ‘Vishwa Murti’ (world leader) we have to revolutionize our educational institutions”. He expressed the hope that Jammu will be able to use this Centre for the advantage and betterment of mankind.
Dr Jitendra Singh said by making its outreach to the remotest parts of the country, the ISRO has fulfilled the dream of great scientists of the nation like Dr Vikram Sarabhai and Satish Dhawan, a son of the soil who later settled in Bangalore.
He said Dr Sarabhai died young and he was succeeded by Dhawan who belonged to J&K. He regretted that there is no memorial on the name of this national hero in J&K. He regretted that Dhawan died unsung by Jammuites. But it is a great occasion for all of us that today we celebrate his legacy in Jammu, he added.
The Union Minster, while recalling Dr Dhawan’s contribution in establishing space research in the country said his connection with space was “Chanda Mama Door Key”.
Terming India’s Mars Mission a great success of former ISRO chairman, Dr Radhakrishan, Union Minister said Mars Mission is turning Rs 7 per km per minute which is much lesser than Auto Riksha fare and this entire mission is indigenous. “Lauding the role of ISRO scientists, he said the Chanderyan First Mission is already set and second is on the move.
Dr Jitendra Singh said Neel Armstrong, the US Spaceman who went on Moon first said his one small step was huge step for mankind. Neel Armstrong went on Moon but could not see water there and he left it to Indian spacemen to explore that there is water on Moon, Dr Singh added.
He said this is for the first time in the Indian history that Indian space research from nut bolt to finish was indigenous. “Though we started the space research 20 years after USA, UK, France and USSR but India has advanced so fast in the space research that today we launch their satellites and generate money for nation”, he added.
Giving a full credit to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi for huge push to scientific programme especially space, Dr Jitendra Singh said it has been only in last three years that space technology entered every house hold in the country and credit for this goes to Modi Government.
He, while complimenting J&K Bank Chairman, Parvez Ahmed said the outreach of the Bank to forge industry -academia partnership for the development of the State, is a big leap for progress of J&K.
In his address, Chairman ISRO, Dr K Sivan said it is a great moment for him to sign the MOU and laying of foundation stone for Satish Dhawan Centre for Space Sciences in JU. He said ISRO is not merely an activity but a great mission of serving the nation.
He said the Space technology has been chosen by Dr Sarabhai to help the country and the benefits of this advance technology should reach to remote areas. This was actual vision of Dr Sarabhai, he added.
Former Chairman, ISRO and Man behind India’s Mangalyan Mission, Dr K Radhakrishan said he is satisfied with his three years association with Central University, Jammu. He, while paying great tributes to legendary scientist, Dr Satish Dhawan said his (Dhawan’s) teacher had once said that Dr Dhawan has surpassed him in every field except his age.
Chairman JK Bank, Parvez Ahmed congratulated CUJ for its commitment to excellence and assuming a pivotal role in Research and Development by forging strategic collaborations with stalwart organizations like the ISRO and bringing the students opportunities to learn form world renowned experts in subjects of advanced learning. “I am feeling proud to learn about the establishment of Prof Satish DhawanCentre for Space Science in the CUJ.-the first of its kind in Northern Region and this is a mile stone moment for J&K,” he added.
He said “I must say that over the past few years, access to leading institutions such as IIT, IIM, AIIMS have been made available to our otherwise inaccessible State for which the entire State hails the efforts of son the soil, Dr Jitendra Singh who is tirelessly working towards shaping the destiny of the State towards progress and advancement”.
Prof Ashok Aima, VC CUJ, in his welcome address, said it is a pleasure for him to have the Satish Dhawan Institute in the University and termed it a landmark occasion for all of us. He said CUJ was started in 2011 and highlighted the role of Maj Gen (retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal in getting the land acquired for the University. He assured the gathering that the CUJ will emerge as an institute of excellence in the country. He said the CUJ is second best after Rajasthan University.
He said the new focus of University is Atal Centre for Good Governance the proposal for which is submitted to GoI and hundred bedded Hospital the proposal for which has been submitted to Ayush.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
