Written By Srija Bhadra (Grade 5)
“When you look at the stars and the galaxy, you feel that you are not just from any particular piece of land, but from the solar system.” These beautiful words about space were said by non-other than Kalpana Chawla. India, the second-most populous country in the whole world is a land of great beauty and it is a diverse country. India’s skies are filled with stars shining and sparkling which amazes us all.
The scientists of India have worked day and night to establish India’s own space programme called ISRO also known as the Indian Space Research Organization. ISRO is also known for supporting other nations with their rockets. Dr APJ Abdul Kalam was the first person to launch a rocket. India’s rockets have the capacity to carry more than 100 satellites. His quotes inspire every citizen of India. ISRO is a name that makes the impossible possible. India’s Chandrayaan was a mission to our nearest neighbour, Moon. It had a budget lower than an entire Hollywood movie about space. Our country, India was the first nation to send a spacecraft to Mars in its first attempt and it is a whole big story of controversies, failure, dedication, and motivation. Aryabhata, the inventor of the number zero, was an Indian who made India more popular in the subject of astronomy. Rakesh Sharma, a very well-known cosmonaut was the first Indian citizen and the first man to go to space from India. Indira Gandhi was the Prime Minister of India when Rakesh Sharma went to space. In an interview, she asked him how India looked from space. His word’s describing India is very popular and they are- “Saare Jahan se acha, Hindustan Hamara” which means ‘Our India looked more beautiful than any other country.’ Kalpana Chawla was the first woman from an Indian background to go to space. Sunita Williams, another very popular astronaut from an Indian American background made India a proud nation.
Many decades ago, India in the subject of astronomy was very weak and carried rocket parts on bicycle seats but now India has become a very advanced nation in the terms of science. I am a proud citizen of India and I have high hopes for India to become a very rich and successful nation.
Featured Image Courtesy – The Economic Times