“Societal Development is the aim of Space Technology: Dr. A S Kiran Kumar

“Societal development is the main aim of space technology and ISRO is continuously striving towards achieving that goal” observed Dr. A S Kiran Kumar, Former Chairman, ISRO  at the 77 th WiseViews Leadership Conversations webinar series conducted by ICFAI on 21 st October 2022. He spoke on the topic “Space, Technology & Society – Lessons from ISRO.”
Dr. Kiran Kumar stated that India started its space operations ten years after achieving the independence under the visionary leadership of Sri Vikram Sarabhai. From 1991 onwards the funding for the ISRO was gradually increased. Dr. Kiran Kumar said that all the funds were judiciously utilized to design and develop various space research programs for societal development.
“Owing to the innovative and robust space technology, India is today witnessing the rapid transformation in terms of the advancement of the living style of the people”, said Dr. Kiran Kumar. He gave the example of smart Set Top Box (STB) that has replaced the long TV antennas used in the early 1990s. Similarly, lots of other programs were designed by virtue of which we have not only strengthened our defense sector but also developed economically.
Dr. Kiran Kumar also stated that India now has progressed remarkably in the space research
and many startups are coming forward to work in this area. “Look for the future..Look for Space”, he quipped. Answering to a query in the Q & A session, Dr. Kiran Kumar stated that “it is unfair to compare the activities of NASA with ISRO because the former has started its operations much earlier and it also has the luxury of sufficient funding from the super power of the world”. The conversation was moderated by Prof. R Prasad, Director – Academic Wing, ICFAI Group and Prof. Sudhakar Rao, Director – Branding, ICFAI Group .About 250 participants including researchers, faculty, working professionals, and students attended the webinar which was also live-streamed on Facebook.