Kasturirangan asks scientists to spot young talent

Bangalore, Feb 9 (UNI) Renowned Space Scientist K Kasturirangan, MP, today said scientists have a vital role to play in identifying budding scientists for research.

''There are young brains who are interested in entering the research field, but scientists should select those who are briliant and who can dedicate themselves to research,'' he said, answering questions from students of over 1,000 schools here.

Urging students to take up science subjects, the former ISRO Chairman said in the Eleventh Five-Year Plan, more budgetary allocation could be expected for the sciences.

Dr Kasturirangan noted that India's traditions in science have impeccable credentials, including the discovery of the number zero, solution of quadratic equations, fundamental understanding of astronomy besides medicine and surgery.

To a question, he said the uniqueness of India's space programme was that it had major social objectives. ''The core component of our space programme relates to deriving information on a timely, precise and accurate basis of our natural resources, providing communication to inaccessible areas, complementing and supplementing terrestrial networks, reaching television programmes to different parts of the country, using satellites for education and health and various other areas, including disaster management.'' The programme also enables developing challenging technologies and techniques, besides helping industries to upgrade their capabilities, he added.

To another question, Dr Kasturirangan said the country planned to participate in the International Heliophysical Year to advance the understanding of fundamental heliophysical process that governs the sun, earth and heliosphere.

Stating that India was not involved in building and maintaining the International Space Station, he said ''India can make use of this space infrastructure after its completion in the near future, if invited by the US and other countries.'' The programme was organised as part of the Science Outreach Month by the Bangalore Association of Science Education and hosted by the Oracle Education Foundation's Think.com online learning community.

UNI