25 Lakhs To 9 ISRO Scientists From Tamil Nadu, A Pat On The Shoulder To Govt School Students

Tamil Nadu has witnessed an unseen event recently. CM Stalin invited scientists for their works of excellence in ISRO and organised a function (Radiant Tamil Nadu - Radiating Tamil people) to honour them. In the function CM Stalin said, "Standing on this stage today, I am extremely proud to be born as a Tamilian more than I am of being the CM of Tamil Nadu."

As encouragement, CM Stalin announced 25 lakh rupees each to all the 9 scientists on the stage, another motivational factor for the next generation is the fact that 6 out of 9 scientists came from government school backgrounds.

Another stimulating announcement from CM Stalin is, the provision of incentives in the name of "Achieving scientists" to 9 students who studied in government school and completed under-graduation in engineering under 7.5% government given reservation and wish to continue masters' degree in engineering. The intention behind the decision is to pave the way for government school students to become scientists in future.

The coming generation has a lot of schemes and incentives to benefit them but the 9 scientists did not have any facilities and owe their success only to their own efforts. The 9 renowned scientists are K. Sivan, Mayilsamy Annadurai, V. Narayanan, A. Rajarajan, M. Sankaran, J. Asir Packiaraj, M. Vanitha, P. Veeramuthuvel, Nigar Shaji.

Chandrayaan-2 Project Director:

Vanitha, the Project Director of Chandrayaan-2 said, "Career improvement in our field depends on hard work and eligibility. The most eligible hardworking person will be appointed as directors of different projects. Going by this convention, after Mayilsamy Annadurai, I was promoted as the Director of Chandrayaan-2 project. Our success can be attributed to the utilisation of opportunities presented before us and willingness to work hard for it."

She clarified, "It is difficult to attribute our success to either Tamil background or being in the right position at the right time, many North Indian talents are also present in ISRO. The reality is that more Tamil people worked on this particular project."

Adithya L1 Project Director:

Nigar Shaji, the Director of Adithya L1 project is from Tenkasi, studied in Tamil in a government school and secured state first in 10th standard, school first in 12th standard. She was the first woman to pursue engineering in her town.

As a scientist of ISRO, Nigar Shaji is involved more in the Sun related studies. She said, "Many projects done by ISRO do not make the news, only the important ones and coincidentally the ones which we worked on made the news, resulting in our popularity. Incidentally, before scientist Vanitha, T.K. Anuradha from Karnataka became the first female Director and many more North Indians also have become Directors of many projects."

Nigar also said, "As far as ISRO is concerned, background holds no significance, only eligibility and hard work matters. The most qualified person becomes the Director and with the post the person has to prove their competency."

The clarifications given by the scientists showed their modesty and solidarity. Being aware of the fact that n number of people achieved in the space sector, we also clarified that there is only a sense of pride in the spirit of being Tamil people and no divisive mentality.

Former Chairman of ISRO:

Scientist K. Sivan said, "The honorary function organised by the Tamil Nadu government broke the stereotype about the competency of government school students. Most of us studied in government schools which stands testimony to the fact that government school students are no less than the private school students. The success of the program lies in the motivation and self-confidence it creates for the government school students."

K. Sivan, the former Chairman of ISRO completed his primary education in a far-off village named Sarakkalvilai and progressed to the point of studying aeronautical engineering. In 2018, he became the Chief of ISRO, a post held by renowned scientists such as Vikram Sarabhai, M.G.K Menon, Satish Dhawan, U.R. Rao etc. The proud factor for Tamil people is that he contributed to many missile launches in the last 33 years.

Director of URSC (U.R. Rao Satellite Centre):

M. Sankaran, the Director of URSC is also from Tamil Nadu like Sivan. This physics hero worked on projects related to both the sun and the moon. Born in 1971, he did Bachelor's in Physics from IIT, Chennai and later got his Masters in Physics. He designed solar panels and communication systems for Chandrayaan-1 and 2.

Director of SDSC (Satish Dhawan Space Centre):

Historically, Rajarajan from the Chola family ruled over Tamil Nadu in the past. In the present times, ISRO scientist Rajarajan from Tamil Nadu is ruling over space. As the Director of SDSC, Rajarajan is attracting the attention of the world with some excellent works of his. His role in India's first private rocket project and in the success of Chandrayaan-3 as the Chairman of the lab are incredible.

Director of Chandrayaan-3 mission:

Veeramuthuvel, the Director of Chandrayaan-3 mission said, "Tamil Nadu government has made some commendable changes especially in school education and higher education. Even in the function conducted for us, CM Stalin's speech showed his attention to details. Inviting and awarding scientists like us will inspire the coming generations to enter the field of science and become scientists."

Perceived as an average student then, Veeramuthuvel has now been perceived as an achiever in the field of space. What superpowers like Russia, America couldn't achieve in 11 and 3 times respectively, Veeramuthuvel achieved it in his first time itself.

Other scientists:

V. Narayanan like other scientists came from a humble background, as a space scientist he became the face of the success of Chandrayaan-3. Starting from his first assignment in Vikram Sarabhai Space Research Centre, he has been exploring the field of space with all his might and brought many successes to India.

Mayilsamy Annadurai said, "Award from CM Stalin is significant because it was given in front of government school students. The uniqueness of the award lies in the fact that it will act as a stimulus for the students to compete in the science field. Since the award was given in front of the young force, the world of science will be elevated by them in the future."

If a government job is prestigious, then government school is even more prestigious.