An achievement for all Indians
The launch of the Indiana Mangalyaan spacecraft to orbit Mars has been a moment of pride for India(‘Joy for India as Mars mission enters orbit,’ Gulf News, September 24). This successful mission demonstrated to the world that India is not only a pioneer in many fields, but designers of the cheapest technology, too.
India’s success cannot be compared with rest of the countries, especially with China as there is no democracy there. The achievement of the project at just $74 (Dh272.32) million shows the determination, credibility, optimism and pragmatic views of the scientists who conceptualised this dream. A stronger nation can be built if ultimate benefits of these types of achievements reach out to the poorest of poor in the country. Not only scientists, but common citizens, too, should be honoured, as they are always giving encouragement for such endeavours.
From Mr Girish R. Edathitta
Dubai
Tears fell
In the early morning I, along with millions of others, was watching the critical stage of our successful launch of the Mangalyaan. The mission has very much been a success and, so this is a really proud moment for every citizen of India. In that particular moment, from my eyes went a little teary with happiness. I am so proud to be an Indian.
From Mr Ratheesh Parameswaran
UAE
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Prudent budgeting
It’s unbelievable to think that the Mars mission is cheaper than the Hollywood movie, ‘Gravity’. At just $74 million, the mission cost less than the estimated $100 million budget of the science fiction blockbuster.
From Mr Prashant
Dubai
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Consistent successes
I offer hearty congratulations to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its entire team of scientists for the grand success of its maiden launch of Mangalyaan. I salute ISRO and its team for consistently creating scientific and defence milestones for the nation and making all Indians proud. I wish them all the best in their future endeavours.
From Mr Haider Jaffer
Dubai
Boosting industries
India should be treating this achievement as a mark to show its strength in technology. This success should create confidences in an industry to accelerate avionics as well as the defence industry. This success will give confidence to policy makers as well as planners to allocate more funds for more scientific activities and innovations in the country. Bravo and continue your progress, India!
From Mr Kumar
Dubai
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Expanding minds
This is such a great achievement. Feats like these keep the young minds interested in science and technology and take the nation forward. Education is everything. Kudos to ISRO. The movie ‘Gravity’ was made for over $100 million, and we achieved it for just $74 million from the ground up in 15 months!
From Mr Piyush
Dubai
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Good use of technology
This is a great achievement for India and I offer my congratulations to all those who worked on this project that has made so many Indians proud. Let the outcome of this be a blessing to all of mankind. Let this team of researchers and engineers be role models for all the people in the world. This is the technology we need to focus on - not firing rockets at civilians and creating destruction in the name of unwanted disputes.
From Mr Shaaz
Doha, Qatar
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Lets strive for more
This is a great achievement for the engineers and ISRO and a good reason to celebrate. However, what good will it deliver to India or to the World? I think that we contribute to modern life by creating inventions. What has been invented by India?
From Ms Anne Appan
Abu Dhabi
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Inspiring my generation
It was 6.30am and I was getting ready to go to school when an Indian news channel proudly declared the successful launch of the Mangalyaan.
The entry of India’s Mars orbiter mission (MOM) is indeed of great importance for the country and its space history. Being cost effective, it had already gathered praises and compliments from renowned scientists and space organisations.
What’s more amazing is that only the US, Europe and Russia have previously sent missions to Mars, but India is the first country to succeed on its first attempt. This achievement improves India’s global position in space technology.
India’s success substantiates the obvious fact that it is always developing in various areas of scientific research, which will certainly inspire the younger generation of the country.
I am very proud of my country’s success, and I hope that one day I can contribute to the space history of India.
From Ms Maria Vincent
Dubai
Animal testing
I have been thinking about the rats that get used for these horrible experiments to find these types of results about dangerous products (‘Dry-roasted peanuts are more dangerous,’ Gulf News, September 23). Animal testing for diseases and irritations for the sake of a human’s well being is not right in my opinion. Can’t the scientists find some other way out to get accurate test results? Human minds are very sharp, I am sure we can find other ways to sort these things out.
From Ms L. K.
Dubai
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Excellent flood relief work
I am really concerned about the flood victims in the Jammu and Kashmir regions and salute the work of the Indian army (‘Amid fears of epidemic, Kashmiri groups seek sanitation, medical relief,’ Gulf News, September 24). According to the article, many have been rescued by the army, who have been distributing food packets, tents, blankets and water bottles, as well as treating patients in their field hospitals.
Through this letter, I would request each and every Indian expatriate in Dubai to donate to the Prime Minister’s relief fund for the sake of our own brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir.
From Mr Hemang Dash
Dubai
Strengthening democracy
Pakistan’s political future is not so bleak if nascent democracy continues (‘Pakistan appoints ally of army chief to head intelligence agency,’ Gulf News, September 24). Imran Khan and Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri are the two most vocal people, but I don’t think that they have no belief in institutions like parliament, judiciary and media. Political agitation is part of democracy, but agitation for an unconstitutional cause will harm the country.
Thank God that 90 per cent of political parties within the parliament are in favour of respecting the democratic process and are standing in favour of the prime minister. There is no future in autocratic ruling or martial law in Pakistan because Pakistan’s civil society is more vibrant.
In the last military period, civil society started to become agitated, and although it was much too late, that agitation proved fruitful and achieved results very quickly. The judiciary has been restored and for the first time, a government has completed its tenure and handed over power smoothly to a newly elected government.
I think now it’s almost impossible for a military takeover because of parliamentary democracy and the strength of Pakistan’s political parties.
From Mr Aijaz Ali Khuwaja
Karachi, Pakistan
Gaza craves peace
Nearly one month after the temporary truce between the warring parties in Gaza and Israel, the nation leaders are returning to the conference table to establish permanent peace (‘Abbas to call for resolution to end occupation,’ Gulf News, September 24). There has been a lot of good work done by Egypt, which is making genuine efforts to make peace.
The death toll among the Palestinians exceeded 2,100. Among them, many were women and children. Even patients in the hospitals were killed without any rhyme or reason. Let us hope that both sides will see reason, and there will be light at the end of the tunnel!
From Thomas Matthew Paracke
Muvattupuzha, India
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