Coming to the relevance of "Mangalyan" when NASA has clearly denied presence of any methane in the atmosphere of Mars, what purpose it would serve? PSLV is ISRO's workhorse and there have been several successful launches in the past but this is first inter-planetary mission which requires more sophistication in terms of technology, self-sufficiency of the launch-vehicle and other parameters. Presently International Space industry is worth more than USD 100 billions, though the percentage of satellite launches is relatively small but with a great potential to grow. Today, the leading countries in this arena are those who have invested heavily in the past in Space technologies and have developed substantial capabilities and credentials. India has moved ahead in this industry and the commercial arm of ISRO, Antrix is bringing business for ISRO for technology consultancy, launching satellites etc. ISRO has launched more than two dozen foreign satellites in the past and project like Mangalyan, help increase the credibility.
As to the question of dichotomy between Poverty alleviation and spending in advanced technologies, it isn't a question of either-or. We are faring badly in terms of HDI and other human development parameters though we are having a huge outlay in annual budget exercise for removing these disabilities. For example 33000 crores have been allocated for MNREGA alone in this year's budget and last year allocation was around 40,000 crores. Its a known fact that large chunk of fund remain unutilized and corruption is eating the roots of the nation. Social commentators and journalists have questioned the large amount of tax rebates given annually to the companies. A better tax-administration, curtailing the money laundering and generating resources in long-term by spending in education, healthcare and skill-development of millions can be a probable answer to our developmental challenges. Magnitude spent on R&D is significantly less when compared to tax-rebates or expenditure on social-sector schemes. On the contrary, we are slipping backwards in terms of R&D expenditure. We need to spend more to increase our capabilities.
So, Either spend on social sector or on space mission is not a right question. Rather what has been highlighted by former ISRO chief, G. Madhavan Nair that the mission fails to satisfy our ambitions in terms of technological progress. Space exploration in times of global economic uncertainties has brought nations closer towards cooperation that's why arch rival Russia and USA are helping each other in the development of International Space Station (ISS). But, rapid surge of China in the recent past is the other side of this space race. We were on equal footing or probably ahead 6-7 years back but as Nair says due to lack of vision from our side and a rapid progress from theirs has put us
Photo credit: AP
on the back foot. We are still dependent on others to launch our heavier satellites (more than 2000 kg ), we have failed to develop GSLV, our manned space mission is nowhere in sight. If ISRO's mission is an attempt to cover these failures then spending 450-500 crores is absolutely unjustifiable. But, this seems less likely as testing of GSLV is in the pipeline for the year end. As far as comparison with China is concerned, we face a Catch-22 situation. Can we pump the money as freely and as effortlessly as China can, probably not. Because, again its not a either-or situation. We have to balance our social goals and scientific ambitions. But, the prime-time debate in the media is oblivious to these issues, they are happy in discussing rather superficial aspects. One question i would also like to pose, why so much noise now? The mission was announced several years back, if they were really concerned about our country's perilous situation and our spending priorities, why don't question them when there is time to save. This postmortem activity makes me wonder whether its only another TRP gaining exercise by corporate owned media houses!!
