JAMMU: The University of Jammu commemorated India's maiden National Space Day with a one-day workshop titled "Advances in Space Technology - India's Success." This workshop celebrated India's historic achievement of becoming the fourth nation to land on the moon and the first to reach the lunar south pole on August 23, 2023. In recognition of this momentous event, Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi declared August 23 as "National Space Day."
Prof. Umesh Rai, Vice Chancellor, University of Jammu presided over the event. Dr. Jagannath Das, Deputy Director of the Safety, Reliability, and Quality Area at U. R. Rao Satellite Centre, ISRO Bangalore, was the Chief Guest and Dr. Anshuman Sharma, Manager of D 32/IDSN at ISTRAC-ISRO, Bangalore, was the invited speaker for the occasion.
In his presidential address, Prof. Umesh Rai underscored the significance of National Space Day as a moment of immense pride for every Indian. He highlighted the critical role of such workshops in sparking curiosity and passion in young minds. Prof. Rai urged the teachers to break down traditional disciplinary boundaries and promote a more integrated approach to education. He also stressed the importance of aligning curricula with industry and societal needs, advocating for long-term collaborations with institutions of national significance.
"By inviting institutions of national significance to contribute to our curriculum, we can ensure that our students are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to meet the demands of the space industry," said Prof. Rai.
Prof. Anju Bhasin, in her remarks, appreciated the efforts of ISRO and the contributions of the University of Jammu in encouraging a culture of scientific inquiry and innovation. She highlighted the importance of continued collaboration between academic institutions and space agencies to advance research and development in space technology.
Dr. Jagannath Das spoke passionately about the historic event of August 23, 2023, when Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon's south pole and subsequent declaration of this day as National Space Day by the Honorable Prime Minister of India Shri Narendra Modi.
Dr. Das also reflected on the challenges faced after the Chandrayaan-2 mission and how the team drew inspiration from their leader and the support of the nation to achieve the successful landing of Chandaryaan-3. Dr. Jagannath Das, in his address, also conveyed the importance of relentless dedication and hard work as the foundations of success. He encouraged students to remain steadfast in their pursuit of dreams.
Dr. Das expressed deep appreciation for the support from academia, industry, and the public, which has been vital to ISRO's successes. He underscored ISRO's commitment to community engagement through outreach programs that bring thousands of students to ISRO facilities each month and mobile exhibitions that spread knowledge of space technology to rural areas.
Dr. Anshuman Sharma shared his personal experiences of being involved in the ground tracking operations for Chandrayaan-3, which began on July 14, 2023. His insights provided the audience with a deeper understanding of the meticulous planning and execution that went into ensuring the mission's success. He also introduced to various ventures of the ISTRAC that it has successfully completed in the past.
Dr. Sharma also emphasized on the collaboration of various technologies working together to achieve these remarkable feats. Addressing the students, he encouraged them to pursue their passion for science and technology, emphasizing the importance of continuous learning and innovation in driving the future of space exploration.
The workshop included several technical sessions, featuring invited talks by the ISRO guests who shared their expertise on various aspects of space technology. In addition, a student session was held where students from different departments presented posters and delivered speeches on topics related to space exploration. The enthusiasm and creativity displayed by the students were a testament to their deep interest in space science. To recognize their outstanding contributions, prizes were awarded to the participants. The workshop was a resounding success. The event not only celebrated India's achievements in space but also inspired the students and researchers to continue pushing the boundaries of exploration and innovation.
Prof. Arun Bharti, Head, Department of Physics and Convener of the workshop, provided an overview of the programs and research activities of the Department of Physics. Earlier, the formal welcome address was delivered by Prof. Ramni Gupta, organizing secretary of the workshop. Dr. Sandeep Arya, Co-organizing Secretary delivered a formal vote of thanks.
The workshop witnessed enthusiastic participation from students, faculty, and space enthusiasts, who engaged in thought-provoking discussions on the future of India's space endeavours. Among others present on the occasion included distinguished faculty members, research scholars, officers, staff and students of the University of Jammu.
