ISRO launches Samwad with Students: might be one of the best initiatives yet
ISRO launched a new platform called Samwad with Students in Bengaluru on Tuesday. The launch of this platform is a part of the enhanced outreach programme of the organisation. ISRO aims to capture the scientific temperament of the India youth engaging them through Samwad with Students. This is a new conversation mission. ISRO hopes that it will inspire students throughout the length and breadth of the country.
The first ever Samwad with Students witnessed the interaction of forty wards and ten teachers ISRO Chairman Dr K Sivan. This interaction took place at the Anthariksh Bhavan. In this three hour session at the ISRO headquarters students were briefed about the Indian space programme. The selected students were also briefed on the benefits available to the common due to these programmes.
Dr Sivan gave an opening statement wherein he stated, “All of you with your boundless energy and endless curiosity is going to be my biggest source of inspiration and motivation. With so many challenging on hand this year, I thought it is important to seek the well-wishes of students who are the future of this country,”
The greatest answers to the questions raised in Samwad with Students
A question and answer session followed this address. It was a beautiful sight where Dr Sivan answered the questions raised the young students. The topics of these questions ranged from rockets to satellite to Chandrayaan to Gangayaan to other several space applications.
One of the most intriguing answers was the one Dr Sivan gave to an 8th standard student. The student asked the eminent man if ISRO was his first choice as a youngster. To this Dr, Sivan replied, “I was very shy when I was young. And, as far as college and career go, I was always denied my first choice. After high school, I wanted to study engineering but ended up studying B.Sc. Mathematics. Later, I got into Engineering and wanted to Join ISAC (now URSC) Bengaluru, instead joined VSSC at Thiruvananthapuram. At VSSC, I wanted to join the Aerodynamics group, but was part of the PSLV project instead.”
Another very enlightening question was asked a tenth standard student. This student asked the scientist how he and his fellow scientists cope with failure. Dr Sivan enlightened us with his very wise words. He said, “Space missions are very complex in nature and totally different from terrestrial systems. They have to work in extreme environments more often. Our forefathers have shown us the path to take failures in our stride and take on the challenges with a positive mindset,”
Samwad with Students is indeed a great initiative ISRO. It does not just engage the youth in science but teaches the entire country important life lessons.
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