Tamil Nadu - Chennai

‘Waiver, a testimony to Indian scientific talent’

TAMBARAM: The waiver of sanctions imposed on India by the Nuclear Suppliers Group on Saturday served as a testimony to India’s scientific talent, according to G. Madhavan Nair, Secretary, Department of Space, and Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation.

Speaking to reporters at SRM University, where he was conferred with an honorary Doctor of Science at its fourth convocation, Mr. Nair said: “As far as the scientific community and the political leadership are concerned, this is a very major achievement. We were able to really establish ourselves as a technological power. The waiver is a good sign.”

Asked whether India would work along with researchers of other countries, especially the United States, on the International Space Station, Mr. Nair replied in the negative. “As of now, we have no plans to work on the International Space Station.”As for India’s mission to the moon, Chandrayan 1, Mr. Nair said the project was progressing well, and that the thermo vacuum test was likely to be completed by the middle of this week. The spacecraft was in good health, but all depended on the weather, he said, pointing to the fact that the monsoon this year was unpredictable. The ISRO was aiming for a launch by October-end.

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